Ewing, NJ — The State University of New York at New Paltz swimming team began its first of three days at The College of New Jersey Invitational with best times and high scores.
 
Multiple season best times were hit during the morning session, such as sophomore Tessa Griger in the 200-individual medley (2:22.16), who dropped eight seconds from her previous time. Sophomore Lindsay Kranitz swam the 500-yard freestyle for the first time in her career, finishing in 5:46.19. Sophomore Tim Stecher swam two personal bests in the 500-yard freestyle (5:04.23) and the 50-yard freestyle (23.4)
 
The Hawks were invited to bring back 11 swimmers to finals at night after finishing in the top 16 for their respective events. Relays were not included in prelims, but were added for the night session.
 
The women's 200-yard freestyle relay kicked off finals with a first place finish, the only win SUNY New Paltz secured under its belt so far, comprising of seniors Katie Donlevy and Nicole Lee and juniors Chelsea Angulas and Sarah Crespo (1:38.93). A second relay of freshmen Grace Rocks and Tori Bogdanski, Griger and senior Whitney Knowlton-Wardle closed in for 13th (1:47.04).
 
Knowlton-Wardle came back in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:30.04 for 10th place after being seeded 17th from prelims and dropping 7.80 seconds in the process. Senior Jaimie Kaefer had the highest placing individual race of the night in the 200-yard individual medley coming in second (2:10.68). Sophomore Natalia Guinta followed in 15th at 2:22.16.
 
The women packed the 50-yard freestyle finals with Lee finishing 3rd (24.88), Angulas in 6th (24.97), Donlevy in 7th (25.13) and Crespo in 12th (25.65).
 
The men began finals in 6th place for their 200-freestyle relay of freshmen Jared Finn and Mitch Chappell, senior Matt Kessler and sophomore Nolan West with a time of 1:28.99. They were followed by freshman Luke Gamboli, sophomore Tom Bartnikowski, Stecher and senior Yaya Toure for 14th (1:35.39).
 
Senior Barrett Celecki and freshman Ethan Bonney placed 13th and 16th in the 500-yard freestyle with times of 4:54.15 and 4:58.16, respectively. Senior Joe Galante secured a 12th place finish in the 200-yard individual medley (2:01.33). West was the lone men's SUNY New Paltz swimmer in the 50-yard freestyle finals, but racked up points by dropping from 14th to 12th place (22.43).
 
The first day ended with the 400-yard individual medley relays. The women's relay of Angulas, Kranitz, Donlevy and Kaefer finished 2nd (4:01.37) and was followed by Bogdanski, Guinta, Griger and Crespo for 10th (4:19.37). The men's relay comprising of Kessler, freshman Akiva Garfield, Gamboli and Finn placed 10th with a time of 3:44.03, followed by Toure, sophomore Graham Cono, Galante and Chappell for 14th (3:47.26).

After day one, the Hawks are in third place on the women's side with 182 points, behind Swarthmore College (235) and TCNJ (256), while the men are fifth with 92 points. The Lions lead on the men's side with 282 points.

The Hawks return to the TCNJ pool for the second day of racing Saturday at 11 a.m.

For Day 1 Final Results, click here.

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