Sara Turner swam to first in the 500 freestyle, while Laryssa Webster took second in the same event and also placed in the 200 backstroke. Kathryn Tanis won the 100 freestyle, and Katie Webster placed second in the 100 backstroke and anchored the winning 200 freestyle relay. Reegan Brown contributed a second-place finish in the 200 butterfly and helped the 200 freestyle relay team to victory, while Maura Rubio won the 100 backstroke and was part of the first-place 200 medley relay. 


PREVIOUS ACTION: 
The Red Flash made the trip to Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 25 for a tri-meet against Long Island University and Manhattan College, earning several standout performances in the pool. Maura Rubio led the way with wins in the 100 backstroke (58.06) and 200 backstroke (2:08.66), while Sara Turner swept both the 200 butterfly (2:09.55) and 200 IM (2:11.06). Kathryn Tanis also earned a victory in the 100 freestyle (54.72), and the 400 freestyle relay team of Tanis, Rubio, Katie Webster, and Reegan Brown finished second by less than a second to LIU (3:40.45). 

The meet featured strong efforts across the board, including Sydney Lukon's personal-best 2:32.16 in the 200 backstroke and Abbey Kutchel's personal-best 11:50.42 in the 1000 freestyle. Following the meet, Sara Turner was named NEC Swimmer of the Week, and Maura Rubio earned NEC Prime Performer honors for their exceptional performances. 


NEXT TIME OUT: LIBERTY INVITATIONAL
The Red Flash will return to action at the Liberty Invitational from Nov. 21–23 in Lynchburg, Va. The three-day meet will feature preliminary sessions at 10 a.m. and finals each evening at 6 p.m., as Saint Francis looks to close out the fall portion of its schedule with another strong team performance.


PRESEASON OUTLOOK: BUILDING ON MOMENTUM
The NEC announced its 2025–26 preseason coaches' poll, with Saint Francis projected to finish fourth heading into the new campaign. The Red Flash looks to carry forward the momentum from a strong 2024 season that featured a third-place finish at the NEC Championships and several individual podium performances.

Central Connecticut State was selected as the league favorite, earning four first-place votes as the Blue Devils aim for their fourth straight NEC title. Howard followed closely behind with three first-place votes, while Wagner and Saint Francis rounded out the top four. LIU, Stonehill, and Le Moyne completed the poll.

The 2026 NEC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships are set for February 17–20 at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio, where the Red Flash will look to make another strong showing.


FROM THE DECK: COACH'S CORNER
Phil Hurley enters his sixth season leading the Saint Francis women's swimming program in 2025–26, bringing more than 15 years of collegiate coaching experience to the deck. Since joining the Red Flash, Hurley has guided the team to multiple NEC podium finishes, strong showings in dual meets and invitationals, and consistent recognition for academic excellence.

Before arriving at Saint Francis, Hurley served as the head coach at Lock Haven University and as an assistant coach at South Dakota State University, where he helped guide Summit League champions, coached athletes to NCAA Division I "B" cut standards, and led recruiting efforts that doubled the program's roster size. He also gained experience as a graduate assistant at George Mason University and has coached at both the club and high school levels.

A native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Hurley swam collegiately at Dickinson College, where he was a four-year letter winner, three-year team captain, All-Conference performer, and school record holder. He earned his B.A. in economics from Dickinson and a master's in exercise, fitness, and health promotion from George Mason University. Following graduation, he also served as an officer in the United States Army.

Under Hurley's leadership, the Red Flash continue to thrive both in the pool and the classroom, upholding the program's tradition of excellence and competitiveness across the Northeast Conference