WORCESTER, Mass. (November 22, 2025) – The Golden Bears competed in a quad meet on Saturday versus Husson University, Rhode Island College, and the hosts, Clark University. The Golden Bears would drop their meet to Clark, lose a closely contested meet with Husson, and defeat RIC by 50 points. Senior Ella Smith picked up another program record in the 200-Yard Butterfly.
Results:
- Western New England: 152
- RIC: 102
- Western New England: 123
- Husson University: 147
- Western New England: 84
- Clark University: 186
How it Happened:
200 Yard Medley Relay:
- The Golden Bears relay team of Caitlin Guntly, Ella Smith, Alex Watroba, and Olivia Young swam a best time of 1:58.56 and placed second in the race versus Clark and first versus Husson and RIC.
1000 Yard Freestyle:
- Olivia Emanuele swam the 1000 for the first time this season, putting up a time of 12:54.90, which placed her third overall. She placed second in the meets versus Husson and Clark. She won the race in the meet versus RIC.
200-yard Freestyle:
- Alexandra Watroba placed third in the 200 Yard Freestyle with a time of 2:09.73, just missing a best time by less than a second. Watroba placed third in the Clark meet and first in the Husson and RIC meets.
50 Yard Backstroke:
- Caitlin Guntly won the 50 back race. Guntly swam a season-best time of 29.23, winning the race in all three meets.
50 Yard Breaststroke:
- Vicky Stepien placed sixth overall in the 50-yard Breaststroke. Stepien placed second versus Husson and RIC. Stepien finished fourth versus Clark. Stepien ended with a final time of 37.91, just shy of a best time.
200 Yard Butterfly:
- Ella Smith swam the 200-yard Butterfly for the first time this season. Smith crushed the competition with a 2:15.72. That was a new program record for the Golden Bears by over three seconds. Smith won the race in all three meets.
50 Yard Freestyle:
- Caitlin Guntly placed second in the 50 free with a 26.77, a new season-best time. Guntly got second in the Clark meet and first in the Husson and RIC meets.
100 Yard Freestyle:
- Olivia Young raced the 100-yard Free for WNE and placed fifth overall with a season-best time by over two seconds. Young swam a time of 1:01.20. That placed Young fourth versus Clark, second versus Husson, and first versus RIC.
200 Yard Backstroke:
- Alexandra Watroba swam the 200 backstroke and placed second overall with a great time of 2:23.01. Watroba placed second against Clark University and won against RIC and Husson.
200 Yard Breaststroke:
- Ella Smith swam once again in the 200-yard Breaststroke, finishing in 2:29.13. Smith won all three meets for that race.
500 Yard Freestyle:
- Giada Caruso was the highest-placing Golden Bear in the 500-yard Freestyle, finishing with a season-best time of 6:44.98. Caruso placed fourth versus Clark, fourth versus Husson, and second versus RIC.
50 Yard Butterfly:
- Caitlin Guntly placed second overall with a season-best time of 27.92 in the 50 Fly. Guntly placed second versus Clark and first versus Husson and RIC.
- Olivia Emanuele placed third overall in the race with a time of 30.51. Emanuele placed third versus Clark and second versus RIC and Husson.
200 Yard IM:
- Ella Smith won her third race of the day in the 200-yard IM. Smith swam a 2:14.94, defeating the next closest swimmer by over fifteen seconds. Smith won all three meets in that race.
400 Yard Freestyle Relay:
Coach's Corner:
Head coach
Martin Gullberg was asked what he attributes today's success to and what he thought the team could improve on during all three meets today. "We swam really well, top to bottom, as a group today. Everybody who competed had at least one very, very good swim. Our success today was largely predicated on the work that we have put in over the past two weeks. We're training really well, very consistently. People are working hard at practice. They are listening to the coaches and trying to incorporate what those coaches are asking them to think about, whether it's during practice or during a meet. The team did a great job staying together and supporting each other, keeping a good attitude and atmosphere on deck. Today was the best dual meet performance that I have seen since being part of the program here at Western New England. They swam remarkably well," Gullberg remarked. When asked what the team needs to do leading up to the Bridgewater State Invitational and how they can have another successful performance, Gullberg stated, "Our next two weeks are probably going to be a little bit lighter. We are going to rest a little bit heading into BSU. Hopefully, that allows people to feel good going into the meet. People are going to focus more on their primary events at BSU, so that will give people a chance to see where they're at in some of the events they plan to swim at Conference Championships."
First Year,
Olivia Young was asked what she attributed her success at the meet to. "I would say definitely my parents and my grandma because they do a lot for me and have always been there supporting me. I think I try to give back to them. You know, they don't really let me give back physically, so I think doing well, and swimming, makes them proud, so I like to give it back to them through that," Young emphasized.
Transfer-student
Alexandra Watroba was interviewed after the meet and asked to detail what worked well for her during her swims today and what she thinks worked well for the entire team. "Today I was really motivated by the other swimmers in my heats, and it makes me want to go faster when I see other people working hard and swimming fast. I would say I swim the best I can when I am surrounded by a supportive team and a fun competition. I'm so proud of all the hard work our team has put into practice and meets this season, and it's super important for us to cheer each other on and have lots of energy at the meet as a team," Watroba stated.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- The Golden Bears will have a week off before they take on the Bridgewater State University Invitational on December 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM inside the Mary Jo Moriarty Swimming Pool.
