Catamounts Win CCSU Open Water Festival with Four of High 5

MARLBOROUGH, Conn. – The Catamounts formally began the 2025-26 marketing campaign Sunday afternoon with a crew win on the CCSU Open Water Festival from Lake Terramuggus. Katie Lester was Vermont’s top-finisher within the 5k circuit putting second total. Four of the highest 5 finishers and 6 of the highest ten have been Catamounts. All 9 student-athletes that competed for Vermont completed with a time to qualify for the CSCAA Open Water Championships in Sarasota, Florida.
 
RELATED LINKS
Individual Results
Team Results
 
COACH’S QUOTE
“I was impressed with our student-athletes performance this morning,” mentioned Head Coach Gerry Cournoyer. “Seeing them compete at a high level this early was impressive. Having all nine of them qualify for the open water national meet in December was icing on the cake.”
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vermont introduced residence the win within the race scoring 21 crew factors, 35 factors higher than second place Sacred Heart.
• Lester was second total with a time of 55:47.29. Sacred Heart’s Sophia Velleco was slightly below six seconds quicker on the day.
• Natalie Schlemmer adopted with a third-place end clocking in at 57:20.60. Gabby Puryear-Lynch got here fourth ending 2.99 seconds behind her teammate.
• The different prime ten finishers for Vermont included Jocelyn LeGere (fifth, 57:25.54), Lilly Acker (seventh, 57:46.10), and Autumn Bullinger (ninth, 57:49.98).  
• With as we speak’s Win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to the Lund Family Center by the Cat’s Win, Community Win’s initiative. Vermont Mutual has donated over $5 Million Dollars since launching their Charitable Giving Fund in 2014.

UP NEXT
The Catamounts full crew might be again in motion on Saturday, October 4 for a twin meet at Northeastern’s Barletta Natatorium. Action will start at 10 a.m.
 
Next weekend as part of UVM Weekend the crew might be internet hosting an Alumni gathering at Four Quarters Brewing (70 Main St, Winooski) on Saturday, Sep. 27 from 6-8:30 p.m. Register at go.uvm.edu/swimalum.
 
For extra information in regards to the Vermont swimming & diving program, comply with @UVMswimanddive on Instagram, @UVMswimming on X and Facebook, and go to UVMathletics.com.
 
Speeder & Earl’s Coffee is the presenting sponsor of Vermont swimming & diving