Results

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Kayla Burgess, Taryn Leach, and MiKayla Sargent each won a pair of events as the University of New England women's swimming team began its 2017-18 season with a 155-106 decision over Regis College (Mass.) on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 14) at the Campus Center Pool.

In addition to a first-place result out of Faith Belleavoine, the Nor'easters (1-0) also claimed the 200-yard medley relay (2:03.83), as Burgess and Leach paired with Briana Goud and Kelsey Moulton for the victory of 0.57 seconds.

Six other races on the day featured deciding margins under one second.

Leach participated in three of those, including the two most tightly-contested swims in the meet. After Sarah Leonard of the Pride got Leach in the 50 back by a mere 0.04 seconds, Leach reversed the outcome over Leonard in the 100 back (1:06.76), tapping the wall 0.53 ahead. Leach also out-touched Jessica Zernitsky of Regis in the 50 fly (29.89) by 0.11 seconds.

Burgess bested the respective fields in the 100 fly (1:04.84) and the 500 freestyle (5:47.91). Sargent was tops in the 1000 free (12:12.28) and 100 breast (1:16.61) -- her time in the 100 breast was 0.72 in front of Belleavoine, whose winning effort came in the 50 breast (36.17), with teammate Jordan Earley 0.36 seconds behind.

Jessica Higgins was the top swimmer for the Pride (0-1), collecting a trio of wins in the 100 free (59.34), 100 IM (1:08.35), and 200 free (2:11.16). Zernitsky was narrowly better than Moulton in the 50 free (+0.20).

Contributing a couple second-place performances to the UNE team score was Haleigh Kology (200 free, 500 free).

The Nor'easters will travel to Bristol, R.I. next Saturday for the Commonwealth Coast Conference Invitational.