Reilly Shines on Senior Night as Lady Bears Complete First Winning Season

BROOKLYN, NY – Three members of the St. Joseph's College women's swim team competed in the final home meet of their careers. Dashana Payne (Brooklyn, NY/Erasmus), Jenna DeFillippo (Brooklyn, NY/Fontbonne Hall) and Brianne Reilly (Queens, NY/Frank Sinatra) took to the pool one last time at Brooklyn Technical High School, and each played a role in the 49-34 victory over Old Westbury. The win gave the Lady Bears their first winning season (6-5) in program history.

All three seniors competed in three events, each earning points. Payne and DeFillippo both finished second in the 100 yard freestyle and 100 yard backstroke respectively.  The Lady Bears took first place in all but one event on the evening.

Reilly had the biggest night of all in her final meet. Reilly, who already has her name scattered in the St. Joseph's record book, added another against Old Westbury. In a tightly contested heat, Reilly won the 100 yard butterfly in 1:28.04, nearly six seconds faster than her previous best this season. She also set the school record, previously held by Nicolle Velez, by 1.08 seconds.

Four other Lady Bears won events Wednesday night. Darlene Attard (Astoria, NY/St. Vincent Ferrer), Kristen McMaster (Brooklyn, NY/Fontbonne Hall), Olivia O'Hara (Brooklyn, NY/Fontbonne Hall), and Haley Betancourt (New York, NY/St. Vincent Ferrer) each took first place honors.

O'Hara and McMaster also put their names in the record books with their performances. O'Hara's time of 2:58.34 was the fastest this season and second fastest all time.

McMaster won the 100 yard breaststroke in 1:26.13, becoming the first Lady Bear in history to break 1:27 in the event.

The Lady Bears conclude their 2010-2011 campaign on Saturday, February 5th, in New Rochelle at the Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference Invitational. St. Joseph's finished second at last season's  Invitational behind Sarah Lawrence. The meet kicks off at 11:00 am.