NEW ROCHELLE, NY – In front of a capacity crowd at the Hynes Athletics Center Pool, the Iona University men's and women's swimming and diving programs delivered a thrilling performance, posting a trio of come-from-behind victories.
 
The Iona women overcame an early 32-0 springboard diving deficit to rally and take the lead after the final individual event, defeating Sacred Heart University 126-111 and Wagner College 120-85. A key factor in the comeback was the performance of Mary Grace Waring, Paige Fiorino, Caitlin Hopkins, and Kate Kennedy, who combined to win the 400-yard freestyle relay in a season-best time of 3:35.64. The pair of wins moves the women's season record to a perfect 6-0.
 
The Iona men trailed throughout their meet until the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. Kieran Egan, Elijah Decasseres, Nate Wales, and Harry Platt posted a MAAC-best time of 3:04.72 to secure the victory, bringing the men's record to 2-2.
 
Individually, the women scored first-place finishes in several events, with Marissa Hengesbach winning the 1000 free in 10:48.85, Victoria Mordaunt taking the 50 free in 24.52, and Brennyn Veit claiming the 200 breaststroke in 2:25.16. On the men's side, standout performances included Kieran Egan in the 50 free (20.93) and 200 back (1:51.17), Harry Platt in the 200 free (1:43.24) and 100 free (46.92), Dylan Riccio on the 1-meter (236.96) and 3-meter (258.95) springboard events, and Max Buchen in the 200 breaststroke (2:08.87).
 
"The story of today's meet was our group's competitiveness in every race and heat," said Head Coach Nick Cavataro. "The double-dual format on the women's side, along with multiple heats in every event, made every race and placing valuable. We had 16 women score in the top five across events, and 18 different men contributed points. That depth and teamwork is what positioned us to win."

UP NEXT

Both teams jump right back into Hynes next Friday and Saturday as the host Holy Cross and Providence College respectively on Friday and Saturday.