By Matthew J. Nielsen
For the second straight season, senior recognition day was spoiled by the Ivy League as Dartmouth topped the Northeastern swimming and diving team, 124-119, Saturday at Barletta Natatorium.
For six seniors, Saturday marked the final home meet of their collegiate careers. Alexandra Cooper, Emily Crookall-Nixon, Sarah Longacre, Hanah Maker, Sarah Reddick and Cara Tontodonato said goodbye to Barletta Natatorium – the pool in which they won two America East conference championships – in a ceremony hosted by coach Roy Coates before the contest began.
“Our seniors have experienced so much, including two championships,” Coates said. “They have become so experienced and have a lot to offer to the other girls. There’s always talent out there – talent is easy to find, but the personality and the leadership of these girls cannot be replaced.”
The meet started well for Reddick, when the 400-medley relay team won the first event of the afternoon. Reddick, along with junior Katy Turner, freshmen Alex Doty and Heather Whiting, had the lead the entire race and finished first with a time of 4:01.72. Reddick also won the 50 and 100 freestyle (24.69 and 53.79 respectively), rounding out another masterful performance by a swimmer whose name can be found throughout the Northeastern record books.
Emily Crookall-Nixon also performed well, winning both the 200 freestyle (1:56.83) and 200 backstroke (2:08.70), pushing the Huskies’ lead to 91-78 with three events remaining.
After Dartmouth swept the 500 freestyle, freshman Elena Alvarez won the 200 breaststroke (2:24.10), tying the contest at 114-114. However, Dartmouth’s top relay team took the early lead in the 200 freestyle relay and never relinquished it.
Other Husky wins went to Doty in the 200 butterfly (2:07.31) and Alvarez in the 200 individual medley (2:11.39).
“They performed as expected,” Coates said. “Sarah had a great day, winning three events. Emily was also pretty terrific. They performed like they always do.”
The Huskies will visit Columbia for their final meet of the regular season on Feb. 4, before attending the Colonial Athletic Association championships at George Mason February 22 to Feb. 25.
