Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Rutgers
Bucknell Women's Swimming and Diving Concludes Busy Week with 155-83 Loss to Rutgers
1/15/2012 7:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Jan. 15, 2012
| BUY PHOTOS
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Competing in its third dual meet in a five-day span, the Bucknell women's swimming and diving team lost to unbeaten Rutgers by a 155-83 margin Sunday afternoon at Kinney Natatorium. It was the final home meet of the season for the Bison, who honored seniors Jennifer Kokoska, Morgan Popple, Christine Shepherd, Kaitlyn Sweeney and Lisa Tostanoski before the start of racing.
The loss evened Bucknell's record at 4-4 on the season, while Rutgers improved to 7-0. The Bison were coming off two Patriot League road duals earlier in the week, including one at Army on Saturday, while the Scarlet Knights had not competed since the Princeton Big Al Open the first weekend in December.
Elizabeth Porcellio posted perhaps the best individual performance of the day for Bucknell as she etched her name into the program record book in the 400 IM. She finished fourth in the race, but was the top Bison finisher in a time of 4 minutes, 28.33 seconds. That time ranks sixth in school history and was nearly five seconds faster than her previous best. Porcellio also finished fourth in the 100 free in her first time swimming that event this year, and helped the 400 free relay squad to the fourth-best time by a Bucknell quartet this year.
Kelly Pontecorvo registered Bucknell's lone victory prior to Rutgers swimming exhibition in the final two events - 200 breast and 400 free relay. Pontecorvo captured first place in the 1,000 free in 10:17.75, more than six seconds faster than runner-up Michelle Berman of Rutgers. It was the second-best standalone 1,000 free time this year by Pontecorvo, who holds the school record in the event.
Other highlights for the Bison included Lauren Perry (200 free) and Emily Wright (100 free) capturing silver medals and Sweeney posting a season-best 2:08.00 in the 200 fly to finish third, best among all Bucknell swimmers in the event.
Freshman diver Katie Hetherington placed second off the three-meter board, marking Bucknell's highest finish by a diver. She recorded a score of 262.90 for a second consecutive meet, matching her second-best tally of the year.
The Bison will return to Patriot League action next Saturday when they compete at Lehigh. It will be the final dual meet of the season for Bucknell.
