By Hannah Wiley, Assistant Features Editor
Going into the 2025 MAAC Championships, the statement: “they were determined all year for it” fueled the women’s swim and dive team as they swam for a school record in the 800 yard freestyle relay.
With a time of 7:30.62, the relay team made up of Evie Leighton, Brenna McLaughlin, Daphne Mead and Ashley Allaire cut two seconds off of the previous year's MAAC swim and school record, getting them third place, merely seconds behind Fairfield and Niagara.
Leighton, who had been battling an injury this season, said, “As soon as I hit the wall in the last second, we all knew that we had the relay, so it was really great to celebrate with everyone.” This accomplishment and meet were especially significant for both McLaughlin and Allaire, as this was their senior season and last MAAC Championship for the Griffs.
Last year at the MAACs, McLaughlin, Allaire and Leighton broke the same record with a time of 7:02.81. Reflecting on both, McLaughlin said, “we broke it in the same relay, so doing it again, and going a good amount faster, it was really exciting.”
Although Mead is only a freshman, she is not new to breaking records. Her goals for the MAACs were to “have fun and do the most that [she] could do for the team,” proving once again that her team spirit is unmatched. Mead, following the 800 free relay, continued on to break another relay record and two individual records. Mead was a part of the 400 yard medley relay alongside Leighton, Leyna Swanson and Cass Ercoli with a school record time of 3:49.43 earning them fifth place.
Mead also swam a school record time of 4:23.71 in the 400 yard IM, and in the 200 yard backstroke with a time of 2:02.13, placing fourth in both events. Her performances this season and into the MAAC earned Mead the 2025 MAAC Rookie of the Meet title. When reflecting on this accomplishment, Mead said, “I was just so proud of myself, of being able to overcome so many nerves and all the excitement to be able to get the job done.”
Photo courtesy of The MAAC
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