Bryant Welcomes UMass Amherst for a Spectacular Senior Day Showdown

SMITHFIELD, RI– The Bryant swimming and diving squad is set to host UMass Amherst on Saturday for their Senior Day competition!

The diving team will kick off their events on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Wheaton College in the Balfour Natatorium, while swimming competitions will commence at Chace Pool at 1 p.m. Following their events at the WPI Sports and Recreation Center, this marks the Black and Gold’s inaugural meet of the new year, their tenth meet for the season, and their concluding home competition.

Bryant will pay tribute to thirteen swimmers and divers from both the men’s and women’s teams: Andrew Gamper, Griffin Lajoie, Colton Litwinczyk, Conner Lofstrom, Charles London, Leo Luna, Alex Rowson, Griffen Schimmel, Sydney Barnett, Paige Edwards, Charlee LeGallais, Elayna Pistrin, and Dalena Tran. In recognition of their commitment and enthusiasm, they will be celebrated in their final home meet of the season this Saturday, January 4th!

The Bryant University women’s squad presently boasts a record of 5-2, whereas the men’s team is at 4-3.

Meet Details:

• Date: Saturday, January 4th, 2025
• Time: 9:30 a.m./1:00 p.m.
• Venue: Wheaton College (Balfour Natatorium) | Chace Pool

Bulldog Insights and Highlights:

• Bryant’s men and women’s team recently emerged victorious at the WPI Invitational.
• Elayna Pistrin clinched first in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:18.87 at the WPI Invite.
• Record-breaking Amanda Witkus achieved first in the 100 Yard Butterfly with a time of 55.51 and additionally grabbed first in the 200 Yard IM at 2:02.90. Witkus also established a new record in the 200 Fly with a time of 2:00.60 for the second time at WPI.
• Amanda Witkus was honored as Swimmer of the Week on December 10th by the America East Conference, marking Amanda’s first award of the season.
• Diver Christopher Buonocore was awarded Diver of the Week by the America East Conference after his outstanding performance at Brown University. This marks Buonocore’s third diving acknowledgment of the season.
• James Misto secured first place in the 50 Yard Freestyle, representing the only top-three finish for the Bulldogs in the 50 free over the past two meets.
• The Bulldogs Medley Relay team A (Toepfer, Ferguson, Andrews, Misto) clinched first with a time of 1:32.26 at WPI.

About the Minutemen:

• The women’s team has a record of 0-4 this season with defeats against Boston College, Boston University, Rhode Island, and La Salle.
• The men’s squad remains at 0-2, with losses to Boston College and Boston University. UMass has also participated in the Justin Jennings Invitational, Terrier Invitational, and the USA Diving Nationals.
• UMass is anticipated to compete against Dartmouth, Fordham, and Fairfield after this encounter.