WORCESTER, Mass. - The Norwich University women's swimming & diving team continued its dominant showing at the 2026 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships on Saturday, widening its lead atop the standings with 728.0 points through 17 events at the WPI Sports & Recreation Center.

The Cadets hold a 227-point advantage over second-place University of Saint Joseph (Conn.), who sits at 501.0 points.  Simmons University (370.0) and Regis College (366.0) remain locked in a close battle for third.

Norwich claimed four event victories during Saturday's competition, including three individual titles and one relay win, with a 1-3 finish in 1-meter diving.  Reilly Laitala (Sterling, Mass.) set the tone in the diving well with a first-place score of 358.90 points, while Ava LePage (Palmyra, Maine) followed in third with 280.95.

The Cadets kept the momentum rolling with a win in the 200-yard freestyle relay, as Delaney Allen (Gibsonia, Pa.), Deanna Parot (San Diego, Calif.), Maria Piekarczyk (Dudley, Mass.), and Alannah Kelliher (Middleboro, Mass.) combined for a time of 1:43.99 to secure the 40-point boost.

Piekarczyk later returned to place second in the 100-yard butterfly at 1:06.18, while distance standout Anna Gosselin (Lisbon, Conn.) powered to another runner-up finish in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:42.46.

Burgan Danger (Wadsworth, Ohio) delivered an impressive performance in the 50-yard backstroke, capturing first place with a 30.05 effort.    Kelliher secured another top finish with a 24.42 swim in the 50-yard freestyle, placing second.

Allen capped her night with a wire-to-wire win in the 100-yard individual medley, touching in at 1:02.88.  The freshman also swam the opening leg of the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.) turned in a gritty fourth-place swim in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:43.47, adding 15 critical points to the Cadets' total.

Through two days, Norwich has tallied eight event wins across individual, relay, and diving competition, as they chase a fourth consecutive GNAC Championship title.

LEADERS:

• 1 Meter Diving
  • Reilly Laitala (Sterling, Mass.)
    • 1st, 358.90 points
• 200 Yard Freestyle Relay
  • Delaney Allen (Gibsonia, Pa.), Deanna Parot (San Diego, Calif.), Maria Piekarczyk (Dudley, Mass.), Alannah Kelliher (Middleboro, Mass.)
    • 1st, 1:43.99
• 100 Yard Butterfly
  • Maria Piekarczyk
    • 2nd, 1:06.18
• 500 Yard Freestyle
  • Anna Gosselin (Lisbon, Conn.)
    • 2nd, 5:42.46
• 50 Yard Backstroke
  • Burgan Danger (Wadsworth, Ohio)
    • 1st, 30.05
• 50 Yard Freestyle
  • Alannah Kelliher
    • 2nd, 24.42
• 200 Yard Breaststroke
  • Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.)
    • 4th, 2:43.47
• 100 Yard IM
  • Delaney Allen
    • 1st, 1:02.88

Throughout two days of championship competition, Norwich leads the team standings with:

1. Norwich - 728.0
2. Saint Joseph (Conn.) - 501.0
3. Simmons - 370.0
4. Regis (Mass.) - 366.0
5. Elms - 220.0
6. Saint Joseph's (Maine) - 212.0
7. Albertus Magnus - 69.0

The 2026 GNAC Championships will conclude on Sunday with the final day of competition.  Preliminary heats begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by diving, with championship finals slated for 5:00 p.m.  The Cadets will aim to finish strong and secure their fourth straight GNAC title.