On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Bucknell Women’s Swimming and Diving team faced the Boston University Terriers in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The meet showcased not only a fierce rivalry but also the emergence of new talent, as highlighted by the impressive performances of the first-year swimmers. 

Clara Renner ’28 and Sydney Jee ’28 dominated over the Terriers, combining for five individual wins. Renner swept in the 500 and 1,000 freestyle events, also triumphing in the 200 butterfly in 2:03.24. So early in her career, the first-year has already become the ninth-fastest swimmer in Bucknell team history in the 200 butterfly. 

Renner, in her final event, became victorious in the 400 free relay alongside Rylie Giles ’25, Virginia Hastings ’27 and Sydney Dettmann ’27. Jee, winning two individual events, was backed by Sofia Burns ’28, Samantha Benzija ’27 and Kyla Kelly ’26 in the 200 medley relay win. 

Back to Jee, she swept in both breaststroke events, followed by Hannah Bingley ’26 and Liz Dokina ’25 in the 100, then by Kelly Byrne ’27 and Bingley in the 200. Jee was also the runner-up in the 200 IM behind Kelly. 

Kelly and Giles were double winners during this meet. Taking first, Kelly beat out Boston in the 100 backstroke and the 200 IM. Giles did the same thing, claiming the 100 and 200 free. Hastings came behind Giles in these sprints but logged first in the 50 free, followed by Ashley Piacentino ’27, Jennifer Bolden ’26 and Sara Ketron ’27. 

Diving-wise, Bison took second on the 1-meter board with Meghan Catherwood ’25 and on the 3-meter board with Reggie Frias ’25. On their opening day, the Bison made quite a statement, overpowering their close rivals, Boston University, with a 215-84 win.