WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT. 2/21/10 - Keene State College men's and women's teams successfully defended their New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA) Championships at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction, Vt. on Sunday.

Capturing their third consecutive crown, the Keene State women overcame the depth of Bentley University to post a 924-802 victory.  The Owl men defeated Bentley 656-555 for its second straight title. 

"It was a remarkable weekend by a remarkable group of athletes," said KSC Coach Jack Fabian.  "Both teams knew it would take amazing swims to win the championships.  They weren't going to be denied." 

"The meet was amazing, everyone swam really well and we really came together as a team," said senior Kristine Trutor.  "Once we won the first relay on the first day we just kept up the momentum from there and kept on winning. Once the second day came Jack told us it was the hardest day and other teams were complaining about being tired but we just put our heads down and raced. I am so proud of the women's team, I can't believe we won with just 10 swimmers and 2 divers. It was a huge team bonding experience knowing that everyone member of the team contributed to this win. It was the best feeling to be a senior and have both teams win. It was also very rewarding to get the senior high point award and get recognized for all my accomplishments over the years. This was one of the best weekends of my life and I will never forget it."

The two teams combined to set 30 school records and six meet marks in the three-day event. 

The Keene men won six races and set three more school records in the final day of competition on Sunday. 

Senior Cody Larrimore (Trappe, Md.), who was named the male swimmer of the meet, began the day by winning the 100 free in a school record time of 46.11.  Freshman Austin Harris (Essex Junction, Vt.) placed fourth (47.98). 

The Owls took the first two spots in the 1,650 free.  Junior Dan Morse (Hope, R.I) was first (16:30.19) followed by junior Patrick Luciano (Warren, N.J.) who was second (16:47.22). 

Other first place finishes were posted by sophomore Harrison Hollingsworth (Derry, N.H.) who won the 50 back in a school record time of 24.83, senior Domingo Rose (Nashua, N.H.)who topped the field in the 200 breast (2:08.12) and junior Connor Pennoyer (Norwalk, Conn.) in the 100 I.M. (54.04). 

Junior DJ Collis (Laconia, N.H.) also placed second in the 200 fly (2:00.85).

The team of Harris, Lorrimore, Pennoyer, and Rose concluded the meet by wining the 400 medley relay in a school record time of 3:08.27. 

The 10-member Keene State women's team won five races, set four school records and established two meet marks on Sunday. 

Competing in her final championship, senior Kristine Trutor (Holden, Mass.), who received the award for having the most points by a senior, won the 50 back in a school and meet record time of 26.79.  Sophomore Jillian Whitaker (Gilford, N.H.) also set school and meet record with her fist place performance in the 100 I.M. (59.41).

Freshman Kaila Umbarger (Chelmsford, Mass.), the women's swimmer of the meet and senior Jackie Foster (Goffstown, N.H.) also had first place finishes.  Umbarger won the 100 free in a school record time of 52.21 while Foster prevailed in the 1,650 free (17:28.37). Junior Jessica Laidley (Brockton, Mass.) was second in the 1,650 (18:37.94).

In other races, sophomore Maureen O'Leary (Nashua, N.H.) was second in the 200 fly (2:10.51) and senior Alea Paddock (Newbury, N.H.) took third in the 200 breast (2:30.19).

Whitaker, O'Leary, Trutor, and Umbarger teamed up to win the 400 medley relay with a school record time of 3:33.63.