Women's Swimming & Diving Opens Season With Convincing Win Over American

BALTIMORE -- The UMBC Women's Swimming & Diving started off the 2024-25 season on a high note, as they defeated visiting American 178-120 on Saturday at the UMBC Aquatic Complex.

"This was exactly how we wanted to start the season," said head coach Matt Donovan. "We set a few team goals like scoring two teams in the first relay and did a great job with that. Individually we are way ahead of where we were at this point last year. This sets us up very well for the fall semester meets".

Ember Stennett led the divers as she won the 1 meter (255.00) and 3 meter (238.58). Alicia Buteau, Joella Mills and Isabella Evers took second through fourth in the 1 meter. Evers and Buteau finished second and third in the 3 meter.

The meet started off with a bang as Ashley Gutshall, Elze Bielskute, Nicol Davanzo and Makaela Hill won the 200 Medley Relay

Bruna de Padua blew away the competition to take gold in both the 500 free and 1000 free, and freshman Claire Oettinger started her career off with a win in the 200 free.

Ashley Gutshall continued the winning ways for UMBC by winning the 100 back, followed by Bielskute finishing first in the 100 breast

Ellie Taragano made a late push to take first in the 200 back, while Breanna Smith won the 200 breaststroke in her college debut.

Davanzo continued the winning ways for the Retrievers with a first place finish in the 100 fly.

de Padua, Oettinger, Gutshall and Hill closed the meet by taking gold in the 400 free relay.

The Retrievers head to Navy next Saturday for a tri-meet against Navy and William & Mary.

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Players Mentioned

Alicia Buteau: Diving; Sophomore

Isabella Evers: Diving; Sophomore

Makaela Hill: Sprint Free; Senior

Elze Bielskute: Breast/Free; 5' 7"; Junior

Bruna de Padua: Distance; Sophomore

Ashley Gutshall: Sprint Free; 5' 10"; Freshman

Joella Mills: Diving; 5' 3"; Junior

Ember Stennett: Diving; 5' 5"; Freshman

Ellie Taragano: Back/Breast; 5' 6"; Freshman

Nicol Davanzo: Fly; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Alicia Buteau
: Sophomore
: Diving

Isabella Evers
: Sophomore
: Diving

Makaela Hill
: Senior
: Sprint Free

Elze Bielskute
: 5' 7"; Junior
: Breast/Free

Bruna de Padua
: Sophomore
: Distance

Ashley Gutshall
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: Sprint Free

Joella Mills
: 5' 3"; Junior
: Diving

Ember Stennett
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: Diving

Ellie Taragano
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: Back/Breast

Nicol Davanzo
: Freshman
: Fly