Westfield State senior captains Danielle MacDonald and Tia Pariseau throw coach Dave Laing in the pool after his 200th career win. (Photo courtesy of Westfield State University Sports)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State athletes won the first 13 contested events and Owls head coach Dave Laing earned his 200th career dual-meet win as Westfield State University swam past Western New England University, 162-88 at the Ely Pool on Wednesday evening.
Senior captain Tia Pariseau (St. Peter Marian/Holden, Mass.) won three events for the Owls; the 50 breaststroke in 31.85, the 50 freestyle in 26.16, and the 100 breaststroke in 1:12.16.
Tia Pariseau, Dave Laing and Danielle MacDonald
Sophomore Kelsey Johnstone (Southwick/Westfield, Mass.) won the 100 and the 200 freestyle, and junior Shannon Fitzsimmons (Andover, Mass.) won the 100 butterfly and the 500 freestyle, and freshman Kait Kelly (Minnechaug/Hampden, Mass.) claimed first in the 50 butterfly and the 100 backstroke.
For Western New England, Kayla Snider won the 200 IM in 2:26.26, and the quartet of Erika Sheinhait, Lauren Mangiaratti, Jackie Peterson and Emily Elliott won the 200 free relay.
Laing has been the only head coach in the history of the swimming and diving program at Westfield State, starting the program in the 1982-83 academic year. He has led the Owls to 24 straight winning seasons and has a career record of 200-116-1.
Westfield State will be back in action on Saturday, competing at Mount Holyoke College at 1:00 p.m. – Courtesy of Westfield State University Sports
