PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Columbia women's swimming and diving program wrapped up a successful week at the Rutgers Invite on Saturday evening, tacking on two individual victories in the final day of action. The Lions finished second overall in the team scoring with 2,097 points behind host-team Rutgers (2,379.5) and ahead of defending NCAA Division I National Champions, Queens University of Charlotte (1,837.5).
 
"It was a great racing opportunity this week at Rutgers," remarked Columbia head coach Diana Caskey. "It was a good reminder for some and an eye-opener for the freshmen about the physical and emotional demands of a four-day meet. Great preparation for the Ivy League Championships."
 
Making their platform diving debut for the Lions, first-years Briget Rosendahl and Michelle Lee stole the top two spots in the event to kick off Saturday's finals performances on a high note. Rosendahl took the win with a score of 243.00, while Lee had a silver-worthy outing in 235.65. Both posted NCAA Zone qualifying scores in the event.
 
"Great performances by both of our freshmen as they made their NCAA Zone qualifying scores," diving coach Scott Donie said after the meet. "As seasoned platform divers, they really have an edge on the competition."
 
Senior Mary Ashby raced away with Columbia's second win of the day, clocking a 50.32 in the 100 free for the triumph. She dropped more than two seconds from her season-best time in the event. First-year Clare Larsen was the Lions' second-best finisher in the 100 free, placing fourth with a season-best 51.18.
 
Leading the way in the 200 breaststroke, junior Helen Wojdylo went 2:16.49 to finish second ahead of a Columbia group which took four of the top six spots in the race. First-year Lindsay Rispoli finished fourth (2:21.28), senior Jessica Antiles was fifth (2:22.97) and first-year Madison Leblanc took sixth (2:26.72).
 
First-year Cleo Lim earned Columbia's top performer in the 200 fly, coming into the wall sixth overall with a season-best time of 2:04.96.
 
In the 200 backstroke, first-year Mary Pruden finished fifth in 2:00.99 just ahead of junior Julia Samson who placed sixth in 2:01.89.
 
The final event of the meet saw the Lions' 'A' squad of sophomore Jessica He, Ashby, Larsen and Pruden claim second in the 400 free relay in 3:22.06. Ashby had the fastest split of the group at 50.00.
 
Rosendahl (90), Wojdylo (84), Ashby (81) and Pruden (80) were Columbia's top point-scorers in the outing.
 
Returning to dual competition next Friday, Dec. 7, the Lions will welcome in Princeton for their first home Ivy League meet of the 2018-19 season. The meet is set to begin at 5 p.m. ET inside the Percy Uris Natatorium.
 
For the latest on the Columbia women's swimming and diving program, follow @CULadySwim on Twitter and Instagram, @ColumbiaDiving on Instagram and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.