WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Catholic University women's swimming & diving team began its season on a high note with a 144-118 win over Division II Barton College on Friday afternoon.
The Cardinals opened the meet strongly with a first-place finish in the 200-medley relay. Freshman Megan Leibfreid led off with a 28.96 split. Sophomore Molly Donnellan (34.05) and freshman Angela Castano (26.91) followed with breastroke and butterfly, respectively, and sophomore Morgan James (25.33) anchored the wining relay with the freestyle.
Freshman Cagney Boyle has a standout showing in her first collegiate meet, taking first place in 100-breaststroke (1:14.08) and 200-breaststroke (2:39.11), and second in the 200-individual medley (2:22:08). Sophomore Caroline Beal took the top spot in the 100-backstroke (1:03.03) and added a second place finish in the 200-backstroke (2:17.41).
Senior Emily Messina swam for the top spot in the 200-butterfly with a time of 2:24.53.
Catholic earned a big win to close out the meet in the 200-freestyle relay, as James, Leibfreid, Castano, and Beal teamed up again for a 1:42:47 time for 11 points. Messina joined freshmen Kathryn Degnan, Bridget Roach, and Kelly Smith to grab third (1:49.57).
Colleen O'Callaghan got a 114.6 score on the 1-meter diving event in her first diving action of the season.
The team is back in action next Saturday, October 20 at Salisbury at 1 p.m.
Cardinal fans are encouraged to follow all Catholic Athletics and sign up for "email-alerts" that sends the latest news directly to your phone, tablet or device. You can also get the latest info, live stats and video by downloading the Cardinals Front Row Mobile App! Also, be sure to follow the Cardinals on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
