Rutgers University’s swimming and diving teams opened their season on Saturday with a home meet against St. Bonaventure and Fordham in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Scarlet Knights secured two victories, defeating St. Bonaventure 221.50-87.50 and Fordham 218-81.
The Rutgers swimmers claimed first place in 11 individual events and two relays. Athletes Ana Hazelhurst, Ellie Schinsky, and Sofia Bartoloni each took first place in multiple races. Megan Fox, Emilliana Gonzalez, and Angelica Bath also won individual events for the team.
On the diving side, Rutgers was recently ranked sixth nationally in a preseason coaches poll. The team captured the top four spots in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. Amelia Scott won the 3-meter competition while Katerina Hoffman took first in the 1-meter event. Both Scott and Bailee Sturgill achieved personal bests that placed them among Rutgers’ all-time top ten performers.
Among notable performances, newcomer Ana Hazlehurst won the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:52.21 and also finished first in the 400-yard individual medley at 4:26.46. In the 50-yard freestyle, freshman Emilliana Gonzalez finished first with Anna Vlachou close behind for a one-two finish by newcomers.
Angelica Bath, a transfer student, won the 200-yard backstroke with freshman Goksu Dogan placing third. Ellie Schinsky took first place in both the 200-yard butterfly (2:04.30) and the 100-yard butterfly (55.90). Sofia Bartoloni led both breaststroke distances.
In relay events, Rutgers touched first in both the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
For diving, Amelia Scott’s score of 350.86 earned her sixth all-time at Rutgers on the three-meter board; Bailee Sturgill’s performance landed her eighth all-time on that list as well. On one-meter, Katerina Hoffman finished first with a score of 304.20.
The meet showcased strong performances from returning athletes as well as newcomers to the program.
