WEST HARTFORD – Junior Kerry-Rose Buchanan (Southington) won the 100 yard freestyle and was second in the 100 individual medley in finishing fifth overall at the University of Saint Joseph Blue Jay Pentathlon.
Among 26 individuals who swam all five 100-yard events in the women's pentathlon competition, Buchanan took the butterfly in a PR of 59.77 and was second in the IM in 1:10.31. She was also fifth in the breaststroke (1:20.72), ninth in the backstroke (1:13.00) and tenth in the butterfly (1:14.09). Her overall time of 5:57.89 trailed pentathlon winner Lexi Weir of Saint Joseph by just over ten seconds.
In the men's program's first intercollegiate meet, none of the Eastern men competed in the pentathlon, which was won in a field of six individuals by Jacob Wyse of Saint Joseph (4:57.73).
With the exception of the relays, the Eastern men swam their events on an exhibition basis. The 200 freestyle relay was timed in 2:15.31 and the 200 medley relay was clocked in 2:40.61 and both included sophomores Micah Conway (Goshen) and PJ Jimeñez (Meriden), freshman Camron Rossi (Norwich) and senior Forest Rappe (Glenwood Springs, CO).
Seven Eastern women participated in the pentathlon. Junior Tegan Ruschmeier (Vernon) followed Buchanan in 13th place (6:28.88), with junior Amanda Mitchell (Rocky Hill) 15th (6:31.98), senior co-captain Callan Veltheim (New London) 17th (6:35.36), freshman Julia Keller (Torrington) 19th (6:58.46), sophomore Elisabeth Graves (Norwich) 25th (7:14.46) and sophomore Emma Conquest (Middletown) 26th (7:21.00).
Ruschmeier's highest finish came with a six-place finish in the 100 butterfly (1:12.26).
The women's 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays each captured third place. Among ten relays, the 200 medley was timed in 2:18.74 and included Graves, senior co-captain Lauryn Smith (Colchester), Mitchell and Keller. The 400 freestyle was timed in 4:23.15 and was comprised of Buchanan, freshman Megan Gallagher (Watertown), Ruschmeier, and Veltheim.
The Eastern women had won the individual pentathlon title four of the previous five years.
Eastern competes at Regis College with Bridgewater State University Saturday at 11 a.m.
