Swimming and Diving Competes in MAAC Spring Invitational

The Canisius men's and women's swimming and diving program completed the MAAC Spring Invitational this past week, held at the Burt Flickinger Center on the campus of Erie Community College in downtown Buffalo. The Golden Griffins swam side-by-side with "Battle of the Bridge" rival Niagara Saturday and Sunday, while also competing virtually with the other member schools of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

On the men's side of competition, the Golden Griffins finished fifth behind Iona, Fairfield, Monmouth and Niagara. Senior Lucas Kennedy was victorious in the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke with times of 56.73 and 2:02.29, respectively. Junior Liam O'Connell claimed a first-place finish for the Blue and Gold in the 500-yard freestyle finishing in a time of 4:31.51. O'Connell would also take second in the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 9:22.68.

Head coach Scott Vanderzell's women's program finished second in the invitational, only to be defeated by Iona. Senior Kelsey Childress finished first in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:33.30. Childress would also take second in the 200-yard individual medley finishing in a time of 2:07.61. In the 50-yard freestyle event, senior Sage Pollack and sophomore Grace VanBuren finished second and third with times of 23.83 and 23.99 seconds, respectively. Junior Cara Smith finished first for Canisius in the 1000-yard freestyle in a time of 10:33.49. Smith would also finish second in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:07.08. The women's 200-yard freestyle relay, which featured VanBuren, Kelly Burns, Childress, and Pollack took first place for the Golden Griffins with a time of 1:36.25.

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Players Mentioned

Kelly Burns: 5' 7"; Senior

Kelsey Childress: 5' 9"; Senior

Lucas Kennedy: 6' 1"; Senior

Liam O'Connell: 6' 1"; Junior

Sage Pollack: 5' 5"; Senior

Cara Smith: 5' 9"; Junior

Grace Van Buren: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Kelly Burns
: 5' 7"; Senior

Kelsey Childress
: 5' 9"; Senior

Lucas Kennedy
: 6' 1"; Senior

Liam O'Connell
: 6' 1"; Junior

Sage Pollack
: 5' 5"; Senior

Cara Smith
: 5' 9"; Junior

Grace Van Buren
: 5' 5"; Sophomore