Big Al Invitational Highlighted By Naccarella's School Record

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Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com

Big Al Invitational Highlighted By Naccarella's School Record

12/4/2023 11:08:00 AM | Swimming and Diving

PRINCETON, N.J. – The University at Buffalo Swimming & Diving team participated in the Big Al Invitational at Princeton University this weekend, competing against a tough field of teams from all over the nation. Mia Naccarella highlighted the weekend for the Bulls, setting a school record in the 100 backstroke, with a time of 53.25. The Bulls placed 7^th of ten total teams, with 364.5 points.

DAY ONE
Naccarella started out strong on day one for the Bulls, placing first in the sixth heat of the 50 yard freestyle (23.07) and qualifying for the A-Finals. The senior finished fifth in the finals, with a time of 23.08.

Day one in the diving well featured 3-meter diving, where Buffalo dominated the leaderboard. Victoria Franz placed first in the preliminary round (311.10), and second in the finals (334.60), leading the way for the Bulls. Marialis Kwak also had a podium finish in the finals, placing third with a score of 313.95. Kaylee Donovan (6^th, 281.95) and Sophie Meuwissen (8^th, 248.15) also had top ten finishes, with Buffalo being the only program to have more than two finishers inside the top ten.

DAY TWO
On day two Naccarella picked up where she left off, placing fourth in the preliminary round of the 200 yard freestyle (1:48.31), and followed that performance by setting the school record in the 100 backstroke (53.25). The senior ended the day with a third-place finish in the 100 backstroke finals (53.34).

Clarice Fisher was also strong for the Bulls on day two, placing third in the preliminary round of the 100 yard butterfly, with a time of 53.76. Fisher ended the day with a fifth-place finish in the finals (53.96). Nicole Aguilar also competed in the finals of the 100 yard butterfly after qualifying in the preliminary round (10^th, 54.55). Aguilar placed tenth in the finals, improving her time to 54.47.

In the diving well on day two, Buffalo shined once again. Franz carried her momentum over from day one, placing first in the preliminary round of 1-meter diving (309.95) and second in the finals (288.90). The Bulls had four of the top ten finishers once again in the 1-meter diving finals, with Kwak finishing fourth (266.35), Presley Dorsett in fifth (260.70) and Meuwissen placing eighth (236.90).

DAY THREE
Naccarella opened up day three with another podium finish, taking third place in the preliminary round of the 200 yard backstroke, with a time of 1:57.10. In the finals, the senior placed sixth (1:57.66). Abigail Malmstrom also had a strong performance in the 200 yard backstroke, finishing eighth in the preliminary round (1:58.89) and the finals (2:00.98).

Fisher built off of a strong day two in day three of the invitational, placing sixth in the preliminary round of the 200 yard butterfly (2:00.57) and sixth again in the finals (2:00.87). Aguilar was right with the graduate student once again, placing tenth in the finals of the 200 butterfly (2:02.67), as well as Amanda Neeb who qualified for the finals and placed 16^th (2:05.10).

Kasey Keaney (10^th ,2:20.43) and Grace Rider (17^th, 2:25.17) both qualified for the 200 breaststroke finals, with Keaney placing 11^th (2:19.57) and Rider taking 17^th (2:21.77).

Day three of diving featured platform diving, where only three Bulls competed. Donovan was the top finisher for Buffalo, taking 12^th with a score of 181.25. Mallory Hanna placed 14^th (181.25) and Maggie Meyers finished 16^th (142.25).

"I am very proud of the women with how they competed and supported each other," said Head Coach Andy Bashor. "This was a competitive meet and the women stepped up to the challenge. We did a lot of good things that we can build on for the rest of the season."

"I was very excited to finally competed in a team diving event," said Head Diving Coach Russ Dekker. "It was a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to doing it again at the UB Diving Invite in January."

All results from the meet can be found here.

UP NEXT
The Bulls are in action next at home on January 12th with a tri-meet against Duquesne and Marshall, as well as the UB Diving Invite.

For more coverage of the Buffalo Women's Swimming and Diving team check out the official website of the Buffalo Bulls, and follow the program on Instagram (@UBSwimDiveTeam), X (@UBSwimDiveTeam) and Facebook ("Buffalo Bulls Swimming and Diving").