Barry Dominates Brandeis in a Thrilling 86-26 Women’s Swimming Showdown

WALTHAM, Mass. (January 15, 2025) – The women’s swimming squad from Stonehill College commenced its second semester with an 86.00-26.00 dual meet triumph against Brandeis University at Linsey Pool this evening.

Stonehill secured first place in all six events contested throughout the evening, amassing 13 top-three and 21 top-five finishes. Junior Kristy Barry distinguished herself with a school-record accomplishment in the 100-yard individual medley, clocking in at 1:01.58 – the fourth-quickest time for the event in the NEC this year. She eclipsed the prior school record set during the same meet just about a year ago, which stood at 1:01.91 set by Sydney Stockwell, ’24. Barry also concluded the night with four top-three finishes overall.

Lundell triumphed in the 50-yard butterfly this evening (PHOTO BY Schuyler Meyer/Stockton Photo)

Barry spearheaded a clean sweep of the top two spots for the Skyhawks with freshman Maddie Gomez closely following in a personal-best 1:02.98 for second place. Stonehill claimed four of the top five positions in the event and seven of the top nine overall. Senior Sharlotte Lundell finished fourth with a personal-best of 1:04.93, while freshman Sorina Cheng wrapped up the top five in 1:05.05.

Barry anchored Stonehill’s 200-yard medley relay which secured first place in 1:49.64, alongside Gomez, junior Taylor Belanger and sophomore Grace Idowu. Gomez swam the lead backstroke leg, Belanger took the breaststroke, Idowu handled the butterfly leg, and Barry concluded with the freestyle anchor. Stonehill’s B-relay featured Lundell, juniors Azia Koser and Jami Hepburn, along with sophomore Sherri Danforth finishing third in 1:52.46.

Barry was one of three Stonehill swimmers who secured three of the top four spots in the 50-yard backstroke, which was claimed by freshman Elizabeth Weston in 28.20 seconds. Barry placed third with a time of 28.56 seconds, while Cheng claimed fourth in 29.49 seconds.

Idowu triumphed in the 50-yard freestyle clocking 25.04 seconds as Stonehill captured three of the top four spots, five of the top seven, and six of the nine overall for the event. Barry earned third in 25.65 seconds, with Weston finishing fourth in 26.18 seconds.

Belanger led a Stonehill sweep of the top three positions in the 50-yard breaststroke with a time of 30.74 seconds for the victory, as the Skyhawks also occupied five of the top six positions overall. Hepburn secured second place in 30.99 seconds, while freshman Rena Gilligan completed the top three sweep in 32.49 seconds.

Lundell clinched victory in the 50-yard butterfly with a time of 27.40 seconds as Stonehill dominated, taking five of the top six placements and six of the top eight. Freshman Chihiro Bringman achieved third in a season-best 27.70 seconds, while Gomez, Weston, and Barry rounded out the top five Skyhawks in fourth, fifth, and sixth places respectively with times of 27.89, 28.07, and 28.09.
 
Upcoming
Stonehill will be back in competition on Saturday when it faces Siena College for a dual meet in Loudonville, New York, at 1 p.m. The Skyhawks will also host their Senior Meet versus Merrimack College at Massasoit Community College Pool on Saturday, January 25, at 1 p.m. The season will culminate with the 2025 Northeast Conference Championships at Spire Academy in Geneva, Ohio, from February 19-22.
 
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