MIDDLEBURY, VT—The Williams Swim and Dive Ephwomen kicked off their championship season with the 2025 Middlebury Invitational. Five women's team members ended their season at this meet including seniors
Rika Yahashiri and
Amy Zhao who wrapped up stellar careers as Ephwomen. The Middlebury Invitational consisted of three sessions - one on Friday evening and two on Saturday. Session 1 featured the 200 freestyle relay, 50 butterfly, 50 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 50 breaststroke, 50 freestyle, 400 medley relay, 1000 freestyle, and women's 3 meter diving.
The meet started on Friday evening with the 200 freestyle relay. The Williams quartet of
Rika Yahashiri (25.31),
Bernadette Ramoy (24.15),
Irene Yang (24.27), and
Sophia Verkleeren (24.08) combined for a final time of 1:37.81 to take the first win of the night. The Ephs also claimed second and seventh place. The second-place team of
Azmera Gebre (25.03),
Annika Chu (24.27),
Emma Dimter (24.38), and
Isabel Espinosa (24.62) combined for 1:38.30. This was Gebre's lifetime best in the leadoff of the 50 freestyle. The seventh-place team of
Charlotte Brawer (25.65),
Maddy Wu (25.17),
Liz Ramoy (25.50), and
Aly Eward (25.39) combined for 1:41.71.
The 50 butterfly was highlighted by
Emma Dimter's 26.40 for second place. 0.08 seconds back from Dimter was
Maddy Wu's 26.48 taking third.
Amy Zhao touched the wall in fifth place with a time of 26.54.
Liz Ramoy touched eighth in a 27.04 and
Isabel Espinosa and
Abi Greenberg went 10-11 in a 27.71 and 27.95 respectively.
Next, Brielle gold and
Kyla Kelley blasted quick 50 backstrokes. Gold touched third in a 28.78 and Kelley had a lifetime best of 28.91 touching fourth.
The 200 individual medley featured seven ephwomen.
Sophia Verkleeren, two time national champion in this event touched first in a 2:05.11. National qualifier
Irene Yang touched third in a 2:10.01. There was a tight race with
Charlotte Wishnack (2:12.26),
Annika Chu (2:12.90),
Charlotte Brawer (2:13.19),
Alden White (2:13.38), and
Ruby Groves (2:14.77) as they placed 6-7-8-9-10 respectively.
Clare McDermott swam the 200 individual medley for the first time this season in a 2:20.85 placing 15th.
Rika Yahashiri won the 50 breaststroke in 30.58, swimming a lifetime best time.
Issy Hiller (32.30),
Brielle Gold (32.38), and
Liz Ramoy (32.40) placed 3-4-5 respectively, also posting some strong swims.
Azmera Gebre was the Ephs' highest placing finisher in the 50 freestyle, swimming 24.82 for fourth place and a new personal best, breaking the 25 barrier for the first time.
Amy Zhao was not far behind, touching the wall in 25.60 for sixth place.
Clementine Robins and
Aly Eward placed seventh and eighth respectively.
On the diving side of the pool,
Adelaide Herman and
Ashley Loh competed on 3m Friday evening. They competed 11 dives. Loh took first place with a final score of 243.80 and Herman was not far behind in second place with a final score of 219.70. Both performances met the NCAA Regionals qualifying standard, and because they competed an 11-dive line-up, rather than the typical 6, both Ephs automatically met all of the Regionals qualifications. At Regionals, Loh and Herman will compete for the opportunity to move onto the Division III NCAA Championships.
Next up was the 400 medley relay. The team of
Alden White (58.92),
Rika Yahashiri (1:07.04),
Bernadette Ramoy (57.99), and
Clare McDermott (54.69) combined for first place and a time of 3:58.64. The team of
Brielle Gold (1:03.15),
Charlotte Brawer (1:08.41),
Ruby Groves (59.13), and
Abi Greenberg (56.57) combined for 4:07.22, taking second place place.
In the 1000 freestyle, the Ephwomen dominated.
Lily Codd swam a very well split 10:05.29, her fastest individual 1000 of the season and first win of the meet.
The Ephwomen will be back at the pool for more racing tomorrow for sessions 2 and 3.
