WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Freshman twins Maggie and Megan Lasto (Orange) both won their three individual events and Eastern Connecticut State University swimmers returned from a six-week layoff from official competition to easily down the University of Saint Joseph, 127-97, Tuesday evening at the Sports Center.
In a faceoff between dual-meet unbeatens, Eastern (7-0) closed out its home season with its 37th victory over Saint Joseph (3-1) in 38 dual meets. The Warriors had last competed officially Dec. 2 at the Connecticut Cup.
Megan Lasto captured the 200 freestyle, 200 breaststroke and 50 butterfly while Maggie Lasto posted the top time in the 100 individual medley, 200 backstroke and 500 freestyle. Maggie edged her junior sister, Mollee Lasto (Orange) as the pair placed 1-2 in the 200 backstroke and in the 100 individual medley. In addition to her two seconds, Mollee claimed the 100 backstroke.
In a meet where Eastern swimmers won ten of 11 individual events and both relays, freshman Saige Grace (East Hampton) led the competition in the 50 and 100 freestyle and was second in the 200 freestyle to Megan Lasto. Junior co-captain Hayley Mangan (Manchester) was the team's tenth individual winner, when she edged her twin sister, Carley for first place in the 100 butterfly.
At left: Bridgett Furlong, this year's only senior, was recognized prior to the final home meet of the season Tuesday night. Pictured at left are mother Helen, Bridgett, father John, and head coach Maureen Fahey.
Swimming in her final home meet, senior Bridgett Furlong (Mansfield) swam a leg of both winning relays and was also second to Maggie Lasto in the 500 freestyle.
Maggie Lasto swam her fastest times of the season in the 100 individual medley (1:06.71) and 200 backstroke (2:20.62), while seven others recorded one fastest time each: Mollee Lasto in the 100 individual medley (1:08.00), Megan Lasto in the 50 butterfly (28.32), where she recorded the fastest time by an Eastern swimmer this year, Hayley Mangan in the 100 butterfly (1:05.39), Furlong and sophomore Lauryn Smith (Colchester) in the 100 breaststroke (1:18.68 and 1:39.35, respectively), Grace in the 200 freestyle (2:08.56), and sophomore Callan Veltheim (New London) in the 100 freestyle (1:09.55).
Eastern closes out the regular season Saturday, Jan. 27 at Roger Williams University before competing in the Little East Conference and New England Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Championships in February.
