RESULTS | PHOTOS

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Their usual upbeat personalities were in full force as laughter, smiles, and tunes erupted through Keystone Pool just minutes before the Kutztown University swimming team paid homage to its fellow seniors.

The Golden Bears (4-3 overall) fell 115-83 to C.W. Post (5-0 overall) in a dual meet on Friday evening.

The senior class of Lauren Malloy (Lancaster, PA/Lancaster Catholic), Stephanie Kearns (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East), Monica Fisher (Secane, Pa./Upper Darby) and Jordan Shapiro (Yardville, N.J./Princeton) took their final walk in Keystone Pool in front of a packed crowd that belted out cheers and applauded for the foursome's dedication to the program.

Whether it was enormous smiles that draped their faces or tears of joy lightly streaming from their eyes, the emotion that was most evident was happiness.  When the seniors think about their time as Golden Bears, quaint memories and the family ties that they've shared with each other highlight their tenure at Kutztown.

"I woke up today and thought it was surreal," Kearns said. "I remember being a freshman and watching the seniors in their ceremony and thinking wow that day is so far away from me. I can't believe today was Senior Day…it's crazy how time flies."

The Golden Bears picked up three wins against the Pioneers. Malloy was first in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of one minute, 59 seconds. Sophomore Elizabeth Metz (Rosemont, Pa./Radnor) won the 1650-yard freestyle, coming in with a PSAC time of 18:19.51. Fisher was third (19:26.51). Sophomore Lauren Galetto (Vineland, N.J./Sacred Heart) was first in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:13.93. Malloy followed in third (2:18.98).

In the 500-yard freestyle, Malloy and Metz finished second and third respectively. Malloy had a time of 5:27.46, while Metz clocked in at 5:37.61.

Shapiro was second in the 200-yard backstroke (2:14.66). In 50-yard freestyle, freshman Caitlin Davies (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) was second with a time of 25.45 and Shapiro was third (25.59).

"Today was full of a lot of mixed emotions," Shapiro said. "I was nervous, happy and sad because I knew it'd be the last time swimming in this pool."

Junior Jess Mape (Camp Hill, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) was second in the 200-yard individual medley (2:13.30) and 200-yard breaststroke (2:27.44). Mape's time in the 200-IM was a PSAC time.

Although Kutztown wasn't able to edge C.W. Post, it enjoyed a festive day of friendly competition that helped to highlight the careers of KU's seniors.

"This is bittersweet," Fisher said. "It has been an emotional time but I'm excited I stuck it out for these four years. It's a nice feeling and I'm proud of myself."

Kutztown's seniors will be leaving behind a dedicated team, which has looked upon them for guidance.

"I want my teammates to have fun during their years at Kutztown," Malloy said. "This experience shouldn't be taken for granted because it is such a memorable one."

All four seniors are set to graduate in May. Malloy plans to pursue a career in special education where she will focus on autistic support. Fisher plans on entering into the workforce, while Kearns would like to pursue a career in human resources or public relations. As for Shapiro, she will enter graduate school in the fall, where she will study education."

"What these seniors have done in four years, they can take it with them for the rest of their lives," Kutztown University head coach Tim Flannery said. "Collegiate swimming is tough, so I'm proud that they've accomplished this. They're dedicated and committed to the sport. I'm proud of how they did tonight and it's been an honor to share this with them."

KU returns right back to action when it travels to Lock Haven University on Saturday, Jan. 20, for its regular season finale at Zimmerli Pool beginning at 1 p.m.