Blue Jays Make Gains On Day Two Of NEISDA Championships

KINGSTON, R.I. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's swimming & diving team sits in 12th out of 13 schools through day two of the New England Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving (NEISDA) Championships, held at the Tootell Aquatics Center in Kingston, R.I. on Friday evening.

Senior captain Shelby Cios (Rocky Hill, Conn.) led the charge for the Blue Jays as she has done all season long, claiming a top-10 swim out of 21 swimmers in the 50 Breaststroke, touching the wall in 33.38, earning 17 points, and finishing just over a second away from the podium places. Meanwhile, freshman Gabriela Targonska (Newington, Conn.) left it all in the pool in her first-ever New England Collegiate meet, placing 12th of 23 in the 200 Backstroke in 2:24.85, less than a second away from a top-10 spot. The Blue Jays also placed ninth in the 400 Medley Relay to score 40 team points at the end of the evening.

COACH QUOTE [Brenda Straker]
"I am so happy with the way everyone swam today. We broke several records on our way to impressive finishes and much-needed points. We are really looking forward to all the great things in store for our program tomorrow."

The Blue Jays are currently 12th of 13 schools in a highly-competetive regional event. However, they are a mere three points back from 10th (St. Joe's Maine), and just over 50 out of ninth. Roger Williams is currently well-out in front with 726 points, followed by Stonehill College (404), and the University of New England (275). 14 members of the USJ swim & dive teams qualified for this year's NEISDA Championships (nine on the men's side, five on the women's side).

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays will continue on for day three of the NEISDA Championships, which will be held Saturday, February 25. The meet runs through Sunday, February 27 at the Tootell Aquatics Center in Kingston, R.I. Head to www.usjbluejays.com for the links to catch all the action!

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