Swimming and Diving breaks school record on first Day of MAAC Championships

Sophomore Brett Palo placed sixth in the men's one meter diving event, with a score of 229.40, as the Canisius swimming and diving program competed in day one of the 2019 MAAC Championships Wednesday evening from the Burt Flickinger Center.

The Golden Griffins showed their strength on the swimming side as well, as the team of sophomores Kelly Burns and Lexie Agee, junior Ashlynn Gilfillan and freshman Cara Smith placed fifth in the women's 800 free relay event with a time of 7:47.27.

The women's 200 medley relay team of sophomores Madison Chapin, Kelsey Childress, Sierra Kenney and Sage Pollack continued the Griffs solid performance with a sixth-place finish in 1:46.70.

On the men's side, juniors Kyle Griffin and Kenyon Winkky, sophomore Lucas Kennedy and freshman Kyle Kimerer combined to place third in the 200-medley relay at 1:30.63 (breaking a school record), while the 800-free relay team of junior Daniel Kuznetsov, sophomores Jake Whitting and Alexander Kunes, and freshman Liam O'Connell finished in ninth place with a time of 6:55.27.

The Griffs will compete in day two of the MAAC Championships tomorrow, beginning with six preliminary swimming events at 10 a.m.

Event Notes
• The Griffs placed fourth in the standings on the men's side after day one with 64 points. Rider University is sitting in first place with 125 points while Bryant University is close behind in second with 116 points.
• On the women's side, Canisius is tied with Iona and Niagara for fourth with 54 points trailing Fairfield (80), Rider (66) and Marist (66).
• 10 female Griffs made the MAAC All-Academic Team: Kelly Burns, Madison Chapin, Kelsey Childress, Marissa DiRienzo, Briana Garcia, Ashlynn Gilfilan, Sierra Kenney, Vivian Mroz, Julia Sagasta and Lauren Thorne.
• 13 Golden Griffins on the men's side - Josh Blake, Sean Carbary, Evan Graesser, Lucas Kennedy, Alexander Kunes, Daniel Kuznetsov, John Moretti, Brett Palo, James Pokornowski, Jaun Ramirez, Michael Shenal, Teddy Snyder and Kenyon Winkky - were selected for the MAAC All-Academic Team.

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Players Mentioned

Ashlynn Gilfillan: SPRINT FREE; 5' 10"; Sophomore

Kenyon Winkky: BUTTERFLY; 5' 10"; Sophomore

Alexander Kunes: 5' 11"; Freshman

Lucas Kennedy: 6' 1"; Freshman

Josh Blake: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Kelly Burns: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Sean Carbary: SPRINT FREE; 6' 3"; Senior

Madison Chapin: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Kelsey Childress: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Marissa DiRienzo: BACKSTROKE; 5' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Ashlynn Gilfillan
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: SPRINT FREE

Kenyon Winkky
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: BUTTERFLY

Alexander Kunes
: 5' 11"; Freshman

Lucas Kennedy
: 6' 1"; Freshman

Josh Blake
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Kelly Burns
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Sean Carbary
: 6' 3"; Senior
: SPRINT FREE

Madison Chapin
: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Kelsey Childress
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Marissa DiRienzo
: 5' 6"; Senior
: BACKSTROKE