The swimming and diving team was dominant this weekend at the WNY Invite.
Buffalo hosted the invite at Alumni Arena and claimed victory in 22 of the 30 events. The Bulls were pitted against in-state competition, which included Niagara, Canisius, St. Bonaventure and Binghamton.
Senior Jordan Deren stepped up for the Bulls, setting a high standard for success from the moment she hit the water.
"[Deren] swam very well," said head coach Andy Bashor. "We are really getting into our training right now, and they are… tired. So, I was very proud of how she swam this weekend."
Deren placed first for the women's team in three separate events. She clocked in at 1:56.44 in the 200-yard freestyle, 5:11.43 in the 500-yard freestyle and 10:32.03 in the 1000-yard freestyle.
Deren's heroics, combined with breakthrough performances from her freshmen teammates, helped propel the team.
"[The freshmen] are where I expected them to be at this point," Bashor said. "Some are a little ahead. This is a big learning curve for them, but it was good to see them race like they did."
Many of the freshmen left their first collegiate meet with victories. Freshman Marissa Murphy stood out with her two victories, finishing in first place in the women's 100-yard butterfly (58.61) and the women's 200-yard IM (2:09.13).
"I expected our team to compete like this," Bashor said. "I saw really good things in practice and the weight room, so I'm very excited for this upcoming season."
The team will travel to Pittsburgh to compete in their first dual meet of the season. The meet begins Friday at 4 p.m.
