WORCESTER, Mass. - Reigning champion UMBC took the first step towards retaining its title, winning all three events that took place on the first day of 2017 America East Swimming & Diving Championship Thursday from WPI.
The Retrievers took first place in the 800-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley relays as well as the the one-meter diving competition to earn 123 points on the championship's opening day. New Hampshire follows in second place with 113 points after a strong showing on day one. Here are the full standings:
2017 America East Swimming & Diving Championship
Team Standings (Through Day 1 - 3 Events)
1. UMBC, 123 points
2. New Hampshire, 113
3. Vermont, 98
4. Maine, 60
5. Binghamton, 46
Day 1 Highlights
- UMBC set a new meet record in the 200-medley relay in a time of 1:40.58, breaking the mark of 1:41.70 set by New Hampshire in 2011 by over a second.
- Lauren Day, Emily Escobedo, Amanda Day and Haylee Committe swam the event for the Retrievers.
- UMBC also took the 800-freestyle relay for the first time since 2007.
- Escobedo, the three-time America East Outstanding Swimmer, swam the anchor leg in 1:46.14 as she and her relay-mates Laura Massicotte, Alyssa Caulfield and Hania Moro completed the race in 7:17.82, just .23 seconds ahead of New Hampshire.
- UMBC freshman Devin Groman won the one-meter dive with 228.80 points.
- She's the first freshman to win the event since Boston University's Melinda Maytas in 2010.
Day 2 begins with prelims taking place at 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. Friday's events include the 50- and 500-yard freestyle and the 200-yard individual medley and freestyle relay.