Boston College Wins Dara Torres Coaching Debut in Sweep of UMass
Boston College marked its return from a year-long hazing suspension with its first wins under the guidance of coach Dara Torres on Saturday over instate rival UMass.
The men’s team scored a 186-114 victory in Amherst, while the women eked out a 156-142 decision. It’s the first meet since the end of the 2022-23 season, with the programs suspended last fall for the season and a regime change that led to Torres’ first head coaching opportunity, hired in June to revitalize the program.
The Eagles dominated the women’s freestyle events to set up their narrow victory, though it wasn’t solidified until Julienne Saliou won the 200 individual medley.
Lauren Lee won the 50 free (in a 1-2 with teammate Lizzie Oliphant) and the 200 free. Megan Kramer and Olivia Howard went 1-2 in both the 500 free and 1,00 free. Oliphant claimed the 100 free ahead of teammate Madison Connor. The quartet of Connor, Sophie Reed, Lee and Oliphant won the 200 free relay by a clean second to ice the meet.
Samantha Smith swept the backstroke events and was third in the 200 fly for the Eagles. Liza Murtagh was the runner-up in the 100 breast before winning the 200 breast, she and UMass’s Lindsay Burbage swapping places in those races.
UMass began with a win in the medley relay, which featured Burbage. Ashley Calderon swam fly on the relay, then won the 100 fly. Hannah Schoenauer made it a fly sweep for the Minutewomen. UMass took 1-2-3 finishes in both diving events, with wins by Danielle Guerin on 1-meter and Shreeya Sinha on 3-meter.
The Boston College men took control with a pair of early 1-2 finishes in the 100 back and 100 breast, won by Michael Horkan and Jack Doyle, respectively. They put the meet away with a 1-2-3 result in the 200 back, led by Abel Black, with Horkan third, then Doyle led a similar sweep in the 200 breast.
Ben Huffman claimed the distance events for BC. Cathal Ryan was second in the 200 fly before winning the 100. Andrew Blusiewicz (200 IM) and PJ Nolan (200 free) added wins.
Sammy Quigg had the individual swim of the day, the UMass junior going 20.34 to win the men’s 50 free, setting the pool and Minutemen dual meet record. Quigg also won the 100 free in 45.24.
Andrew Bell swept the diving events for UMass, and Aydin Erkan won the 200 fly ahead of Ryan.