Norwich University Swimming & Diving Team Achievements
WINTHROP, Mass. – The Norwich University women’s swimming and diving team received notable recognition from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) this week. Senior Reilly Laitala (Sterling, Mass.) was honored as the GNAC Diver of the Week for the fifth time this season, marking the 16th instance in her illustrious career. Additionally, freshman Delaney Allen (Gibsonia, Pa.) earned the title of GNAC Rookie of the Week for the second time this season, while her teammate, freshman Burgan Danger (Wadsworth, Ohio), was named to the GNAC Weekly Honor Roll.
Weekend Performance Recap
Over the weekend, the Cadets faced off against Saint Michael’s College, resulting in a loss with a final score of 207-78. Despite the setback, the team secured three event victories and numerous top-three placements.
Individual Highlights
Laitala continued her exceptional performance by winning both diving events for the fourth consecutive dual meet. She achieved a score of 170.20 in the 3-meter event, finishing ahead of her nearest competitor by over 28 points, and followed with an impressive 202.45 in the 1-meter competition. Remarkably, she remains undefeated in dual meet diving events this fall and has amassed five weekly recognitions this season after previously earning six in the last.
Allen demonstrated her versatility in the pool with strong finishes, including second place in both the 50-yard freestyle (26.45) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:51.81). Furthermore, she contributed significantly to the team’s relay events, swimming the second leg in the 200-yard medley relay and anchoring the 200-yard freestyle relay, where her performance nearly secured a victory.
Danger claimed Norwich’s sole individual win of the day in a nail-biting finish in the 100-yard backstroke, clocking in at 1:08.85 to triumph over Saint Michael’s lead swimmer by just six-hundredths of a second. She also captured third place in the 200 backstroke (2:28.92) and contributed a strong opening leg to the top medley relay team.
Recognition Accumulation
As the season progresses, Norwich University has received weekly conference accolades in five of the first six weeks, highlighting the outstanding performances of Laitala, Allen, Danger, as well as fellow athletes Brandy Lewis (Strafford, Vt.) and Anna Gosselin (Lisbon, Conn.), who have also received honors this fall.
Looking Ahead
The Cadets are set to compete once again at the North Country Invitational, hosted by SUNY Potsdam. The two-day event will commence on Friday, November 21, at 4:00 p.m. and will continue through Saturday, November 22.
