Swimming & Diving Teams Host Arsenault Memorial Relays

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University swimming and diving teams hosted the Second Annual Michael Arsenault Memorial Relays on Saturday afternoon at the Mary Jo Moriarty Pool in Bridgewater.

Bridgewater State tied for first place along with Colby-Sawyer College in the women's team standings, while the Bears placed second behind Colby-Sawyer on the men's side.

The relay meet was created in 2012 to honor the BSU swimming and diving program's only All-America Swimmer, Michael Arsenault.  Michael, who passed away in March of 2008 at the age of 52, earned NCAA Division III All-America honors in the 50 freestyle in 1976.

Bridgewater won six relay events on the evening.  On the men's side, the Bears won the 300 freestyle crescendo, the 200 freestyle, the 200 medley relay, and the 300 breaststroke crescendo.  The women captured the 200 medley relay and the 300 breaststroke crescendo.

Freshman Sarah Biltcliffe (Fall River, Mass.) was part of two winning relays on the women's side, while seniors Gerard Ferdinand (Stoneham, Mass.) and Erick DalMolin (Springfield, Mass.), junior Sean Bruno (Easton, Mass.) and sophomore Zach Sarapas (Franklin, Mass.) were also multiple winners on the men's side.  Ferdinand, in fact, swam on three of the men's four winning relay teams.

"There was such a large number of people who commented afterwards about how much fun the meet was today," noted BSU junior Todd Avery. "Everyone loved the vibe, especially the seniors."

"This is definitely going to be a great year," Avery added.

"This is such a great event and a great tribute to Michael Arsenault," said BSU Head Coach Mike Caruso,  "I said it last year and I'll say it again this year, I can't wait to do it again next year."

Next Saturday, the Bears will travel to Keene State College for a dual meet with the Owls starting at one.