Westfield’s Kerry Sullivan takes the lead on her way to winning the 100 backstroke. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – Senior Kirsten LaMotte (Amherst), junior Katie Sterpka (Barkhamsted, CT) and junior Holly Arel (Chicopee) each won two events to propel the Westfield State University women’s swimming and diving team to a 171-126 victory over Bridgewater State University on Monday, Jan. 21.
The Owls even their record to 3-3 with the victory over their conference rival; Bridgewater is 7-6.
Sterpka provided the meet’s main storyline as she broke a 24-year-old school record in the three-meter diving (six dives) with a score of 273.15. The previous record of 271.35 was set by Lori Vincent in 1990. Sterpka also dominated the one-meter diving competition with a score of 256.50.
LaMotte was a double winner in the 50 breaststroke (33.33) and 100 individual medley (1:09.57). Also, she placed a close second in the 100 breaststroke.
Arel touched the wall first in the 100 butterfly (1:07.09) and 50 butterfly (30.17). In addition, LaMotte and Arel were members of the winning 200 medley relay team along with freshman Anna Boucher (Suffield, CT) and sophomore Haylee McQuay (Dartmouth).
McQuay finished first in the 50 freestyle (27.83) and second in the 100 freestyle. Also placing first for Westfield was junior Kerry Sullivan (Acton) in the 100 backstroke (1:08.85).
Earning second places for Westfield were Boucher in the 50 backstroke and 50 freestyle, senior Kaylee Hopkins (Southampton) in the 200 and 500 freestyles, and senior Emily Fullerton (Attleboro) in the diving events.
Bridgewater State had two double winners. Senior Chelsea Nolan (Lowell) took top honors in the 1,000 freestyle (11:55.14) and the 500 freestyle (5:54.60). Senior Nelia Borden (Westport) won the 200 freestyle (2:12.94) and 100 freestyle (1:00.34) and was a member of the winning 200 freestyle relay squad.
Also finishing first for the Bears were Ashley Duncan (Bennington, VT) in the 50 backstroke (31.18) and Sarah Rechtiene (Southbury, CT) in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.46).
