Lexington, Va. - The UMBC women's swimming and diving team earned 11 trips to the podium in a strong showing versus Howard, UNC Asheville and host VMI at the year-old VMI Aquatic Center. The 2024 America East Championships will take place at the facility in mid-February.  

"Our women's team definitely stepped up at this meet despite coming off a very difficult week of training," said associate head coach Jackie Whitty. "Our goal coming in was to get experience at VMI's facility since it is where AE Championships will be held for the first time. Having this under our belt will definitely set us up well for the championships."

Sophomore Bruna de Padua led the way by earning gold and setting pool records in both distance freestyle events. She won the 500 with a mark of 5:06.95 and the 1000 with a time of 10:28.77.

Senior captain Nyah Stahl also won an event for the Retrievers, capturing the 200 backstroke in 2:05.83. UMBC had three of the top four finishers in that event as senior Rola Hussein and freshman Alyssa Gonci placed 3-4.

Freshman diver Ember Stennett earned silver for UMBC, placing second on the 3-meter board with a score of 229.85. She also recorded a fourth place effort on the lower board at 225.35.

Senior Makaela Hill earned bronzes in the sprint freestyle events, touching the wall in 24.23 in the 50 free and 53.35 in the 100. Hussein added an additional third-place effort in the 100 backstroke (58.42).

Other third-place efforts for UMBC were turned in by freshman Megan Gangaway (200 free, 1:58.54) and junior Elze Bielskute (200 breaststroke).    
UMBC capped the effort by placing second in the 200 free relay. The quartet of Ashley Gutshall, Hussein, Bielskute and Hill clocked in at 1:38.26.    

The Retrievers return home on Saturday, Nov. 18 when they host Manhattan and St. Peter's on the annual Professor's Appreciation Day. The meet gets underway at 2:00 p.m.