Lexington, Va. – The UMBC women's swimming and diving program came through with some tremendous results on the second day of competition at the 2024 America East Championships at VMI.

A pair of freshmen – diver Ember Stennett and sprint freestyler Ashley Gutshall earned gold medals on the 3-meter board and 50 yard freestyle respectively.

To cap the evening, the 200 freestyle relay squad of Gutshall, Rola Hussein, Elze Bielskute and Makaela Hill edged New Hampshire by .05 seconds to earn the top spot. Gutshall gave UMBC the lead in the first 50 yards, Bielskute recaptured it after 150 yards and Hill held off the UNH anchor to win a thrilling race.   

Seeded seventh, Stennett broke a 12-year old America East Championships record with a score of 292.35. She is the first UMBC women's diving conference champion since Devin Gromen won the 1-meter board in 2017 and first 3-meter board titlist since Coco Darelius triumphed in 2016.

Stennett qualified for the NCAA Zone A Championships to be held at Princeton University in March.

"I am so proud of Ember," said Head Diving Coach Jeff Fisher. "She got her best personal score in both events. I am so impressed by her grit, determination and dedication."

Gutshall dropped 0.22 seconds off her preliminary time and edged UNH's Audrey Mahoney, touching the wall .05 seconds to the better in 23.05. Hill earned bronze for UMBC in 23.18.

Sophomore Bruna de Padua also medaled for UMBC to start the evening, taking bronze in the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 4:53.88.

Five Friday events are on the card for the third day of competition.