ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Ithaca College women's swimming and diving turned in a strong effort Saturday afternoon but fell to the University of Rochester 165–135 in a competitive dual meet.
 
Paige Simon opened the day with a victory in the 1000-yard freestyle, winning in 11:12.72 to give the Bombers an early lift. Ithaca added a series of top‑three finishes throughout the opening events, including strong performances in the 200 freestyle by Samantha Bender, Charlotte Barton and Naomi Fry, who finished within one second of each other to place second, third and fourth.
 
In the 50 freestyle, Spencer Carroll secured Ithaca's first sprint victory of the meet with a winning time of 24.75. The Bombers also picked up major points in the butterfly events, as Kathleen Papiernik won the 100 fly in 58.47 and teammate Elizabeth Bodie followed in second with a time of 58.85.
 
Distance events continued to favor Ithaca. Fry claimed the 500 freestyle in 5:22.33, leading a 1‑2‑3 Bombers sweep with Ava Palfreyman and Simon close behind. Ainsley Lappas-Ford finished second in the 200 backstroke at 2:09.98, while Sydney Koehler, Papiernik and Erika Doran combined for a strong scoring block in the 200 breaststroke.
 
Ithaca also produced a productive afternoon on the boards. Eliza Salus placed second in the 1‑meter dive with 244.40 points, while Emily Provost and Madison Morris secured additional top‑five finishes. In the 3‑meter event, Morris finished second with 266.30, followed by Anastasia Albornoz in third and Salus in fifth.
 
The Bombers closed out the meet with a second‑place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, as the A‑squad of Bender, Barton, Elke Beaumont and Carroll logged a time of 1:40.08.
 
Ithaca continues its season next week as it builds toward championship competition. Up next, the Bombers will celebrate Senior Day when they host SUNY Geneseo inside Kelsey Partridge Bird Natatorium on Saturday, January 31 at 1 p.m.