By Mikey Domagala
Staff Writer
The day after the football team defeated Southern Connecticut in it’s annual Homecoming game, 52-35, the women’s swimming team began its season with a win, adding to LIU Post’s successful sports week.
The women’s swimming team scored a 110-89 victory over Central Connecticut State University, at the Pratt Recreation Center on Oct. 21.
The Pioneers had a historic outing, breaking the 200-yard medley relay pool record set in 2015. Senior Laura Benfeldt, junior Caitlin Johnstone, junior Karis Fuller, and sophomore Tove Sparrman defeated Central Connecticut by nearly five seconds (1:43.73), breaking the 2015 record by one second.
Karis Fuller, a double major in sociology and journalism from London, England, said breaking the record was a pleasant surprise. “Taking down the pool record was a nice surprise, especially so early in the season,” she said. “It set the tone for the meet and hopefully the year to come.”
Johnstone, Fuller, and Bendfeldt remained perfect throughout the meet, dominating Central Connecticut in five events. Fuller and Bendfeldt earned first place finishes in the 200-yard freestyle (1:56.15) and the 50-yard freestyle (23.79). Additional first place finishes from the trio came in the 200 IM (Johnston, 2:09.99), the 100-yard free (Bendfeldt, 51.53) and the 100-yard backstroke (Fuller, 56.87). “Since doubling the number of girls on our team from last year, we have become competitive in race times and numbers. Central Connecticut is a tough D1 team, but we felt so confident going into the meet and got the win,” said freshman public relations major Alex Cordova, who swam in three races, including a third place finish in the 100-yard butterfly. “I would give our first meet an A+. We swam out of our minds and did it as team; the atmosphere was energetic and fun, which we will bring to every pool deck we walk on to.”
The Pioneers return to the swimming pool on Saturday, NOV. 4 at 1 p.m. at the University of Bridgeport.
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