Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Women's Swim & Dive Defeats Lehigh on Senior Day, 162-138
1/27/2024 11:08:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell women's swim & dive team outlasted Lehigh for a 162-138 win at Kinney Natatorium Saturday in what was the team's final home meet of the season. The Mountain Hawks stayed on Bucknell's heels throughout the meet, but once the Bison took the lead four races in they never surrendered it. The Bison won five of 16 events outright, and the two teams tied for wins in two more.
Kayla Lichtner made the most of her Senior Day, finishing first in the 100 freestyle (52.94) and tying Lehigh's Caitlin Deitch for first in the 50 free (24.01). She also swam the final leg of Bucknell's 200 medley relay team that tied for the win in the first race of the day. She, along with fellow senior Esme Hunter, Hanna Bingley and Samantha Benzija clocked in at 1:46.20 to split the points with the Mountain Hawks.
Hunter also helped the Bison regain the advantage in team points with her win in the 100 backstroke. She posted a 57.35, and her teammates grabbed third, fourth and fifth-place points to put the Bison ahead 40.5-29.5 in the meet. Hunter later earned a runner-up finish in the 200 backstroke (2:05.71).
Ava Stallmeyer won the 200 breaststroke in what was the only event that either team claimed the top two spots. Stallmeyer touched the wall first with a 2:23.76 and teammate Hanna Bingley came in just behind her with 2:24.99. Lehigh's Caitlin Hoffmann followed in third. Bingley also registered a 1:06.24 in the 100 breaststroke for a win.
Rounding out Bucknell's first-place finishers was Meghan Catherwood in the 3-meter dive with a 265.95. She was also Bucknell's highest finisher in the 1-meter, taking second with a 244.80.
The Bison placed second in 10 events overall, including two runner-up finishes for Rylie Giles. She went second in the 200 freestyle (1:52.69) and in the 500 free (5:12.33). Bucknell's 400 freestyle relay team of Skye Sunderhauf, Virginia Hastings, Giles and Jennifer Bolden placed second with a 3:39.19, and its all-senior relay team of Lichtner, Caroline McGann, Stephanie Walsh and Hunter followed in third (3:41.44).
Bucknell heads to Annapolis, Md. next weekend to take part in the Navy Invite. It's the final competition before the Patriot League Championships begin Feb. 21. Next Saturday's invite is scheduled to begin at noon.
First Place
(Tied-1st) 200 Medley Relay – Esme Hunter, Hanna Bingley, Samantha Benzija, Kayla Lichtner (1:46.20)
100 Backstroke – Esme Hunter (57.35)
100 Breaststroke – Hanna Bingley (1:06.24)
(Tied-1st) – 50 Freestyle – Kayla Lichtner (24.01)
100 Freestyle – Kayla Lichtner (52.94)
200 Breaststroke – Ava Stallmeyer (2:23.76)
3-Meter Dive – Meghan Catherwood (265.95)
Second Place
1000 Freestyle – Kelly Byrne (10:42.00)
200 Freestyle – Rylie Giles (1:52.69)
200 Butterfly – Sydney Dettmann (2:06.60)
1-Meter Dive – Meghan Catherwood (244.80)
200 Backstroke – Esme Hunter (2:05.71)
200 Breaststroke – Hanna Bingley (2:24.99)
500 Freestyle – Rylie Giles (5:12.33)
100 Butterfly – Sam Benzija (58.50)
200 IM – Kyla Kelly (2:06.54)
400 Freestyle Relay – Skye Sunderhauf, Virginia Hastings, Rylie Giles, Jennifer Bolden (3:39.19)
Third Place
200 Medley Relay – Kyla Kelly, Kate Handley, Kendall Luecke, Ashley Piacentino (1:49.72)
200 Freestyle – Virginia Hastings (1:54.66)
100 Backstroke – Talia Bugel (59.16)
100 Breaststroke – Kate Handley (1:06.74)
200 Butterfly – Skye Sunderhauf (2:08.14)
50 Freestyle – Virginia Hastings (24.75)
1-Meter Dive – Reggie Frias (235.35)
100 Freestyle – Virginia Hastings (54.19)
200 Backstroke – Emma Feld (2:06.10)
500 Freestyle – Kelly Byrne (5:12.40)
100 Butterfly – Skye Sunderhauf (58.97)
200 IM – Skye Sunderhauf (2:10.53)
400 Freestyle Relay – Kayla Lichtner, Caroline McGann, Stephanie Walsh, Esme Hunter (3:41.44)
Players Mentioned
