Owls Go 1-2 in 50 Free; Zeppa Sets School Record Time
Zeppa’s performance set a school record of 24.93 seconds
Westfield State dominated the 50 freestyle championship final at the Little East Conference Championship, as first-year Isabella Zeppa (Monson, Mass.) captured the conference title in 24.93 seconds, while Autumn Sutherland (Cedar Hills, Utah/Lone Peak) tied for second in 25.19 to give the Owls the top two spots on the podium.
Zeppa's performance set a school record, breaking the 16-year-old mark of 24.99 set by Jenna Tasse in 2010. Zeppa qualified first in the morning prelims, and lowered her time by .12 in the championship final.
Westfield State currently sits sixth in the women's team standings with 148 points through 18 events at the meet at the Boston Sports Institute on Friday. The competition resumes on Saturday morning at 10:00 am.
In other highlights on Friday, Emily Donatio (Westport, Mass./Dartmouth) delivered a podium finish in the 50 breaststroke, taking third with a time of 32.50.
In the women's 100 butterfly, senior Olivia Harkins (Woburn, Mass.) placed eighth overall in the championship final (1:06.47).
The Owls also reached the championship final in the 400 medley relay, finishing third with a time of 4:14.10.