RIC athletics recap: Swimming, track and field compete in LEC championships, basketball teams close out regular season

Tim Yean

Sports Editor

Sunday, Feb. 15

Women’s swimming @ Little East Conference Championship (Wellesley, MA) – 11th place, team score 94.50

Fourth-year Morgan McCann led the team with a 12th-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle (2:52.09) and a 13th-place mark in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:52.43) to finish up the 2025-26 women’s swimming season.

Wrestling @ New England Wrestling Association Futures Championship (New Haven, CT) – 14th place, team score 20.0

First-year Brady Zadora picked up three wins through a pin, technical fall and decision for a 3-2 record on the day. Second-year Andrew Pappas and fourth-year Dillon Carter each went 2-2 in their matchups.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Women’s basketball vs Western Connecticut State University – W, 78-65

The Anchorwomen were locked in a tight first-half battle with the Wolves, but found a way yet again to break off and win by 13 and close out with a 12-1 record at home with a flawless 8-0 conference record in the Murray Center. Third-year guard Abby Wager led the way with 18 points (6-for-11, 2-4 3PT), eight rebounds and four assists. Classmate Meagan Schuermann delivered 17 points (7-for-9) and five rebounds.

Men’s basketball vs Western Connecticut State University – L, 83-70

Senior night was held for Tyriek Weeks, Loudon Chupas and CJ Wilson before the contest. A fast WestConn start ballooned into a 44-28 halftime advantage. RIC was able to go back-and-forth in the second half, they were never able to sustain a comeback effort. Third-year guard/forward Xavier Mendez led the team with 16 points (6-for-16, 3-for-9 3PT) and eight rebounds. Third-year guard Mike Paquette and second-year guard Jalen Claude registered 15 and 13 points, respectively, off the bench.

Friday, Feb. 20

Gymnastics @ Long Island University – 4th place of four, team score 188.950

The Anchorwomen entered the four-team meet as the only Division III program in competition Friday night. Third-year Madeline Brandt had the team’s highest finish with a 10th-place effort on floor. 

Saturday, Feb. 21

Men’s track and field @ Little East Championship (Plymouth, NH) – 6th place of nine, team score 55.0

The Anchormen swept the podium for weight throw. Fourth-year Brandon Mota earned first-team All-LEC Honors, finishing first in the event with a 17.98m throw. Third-year Enrique Edjang and fourth-year Shamus Culhane nabbed second-team and third-team All-LEC, respectively, with their following finishes. First-year Maycol Reynoso finished outside the podium with 4th-place efforts in the 60m and 200m with times of 7.07s and 22.95s, respectively.

Women’s track and field @ Little East Championship (Plymouth, NH) – 5th of nine, team score 73.5

Fourth-year Haley Oliver earned gold medals in the mile (5:16.42), 800m (2:19.29) and 3,000m (10:30.92) and earn First-Team All-LEC Honors in all three events. The 4x400m relay (first-years Naibel Noriega and Aaliyah Barbour-Chamble and second-years Quiana Pezza and Bendu Kamara) finished first with a time of 4:05.15. Noriega also had a second-place finish in the 400m, a time of 59.41 earning her second-team All-LEC honors.

Women’s basketball @ Keene State – W, 69-64

The Anchorwomen ended the season on a 10-game winning streak and secured a first-round bye in the LEC Tournament by clinching the second seed with a 14-2 mark in-conference. Third-year guard Meagan Schuermann piled up 21 points (6-for-18, 2-for-7 3PT) alongside five steals and four blocks to impact the game on both ends. First-year forward Eva Monahan (5-for-6) and second-year guard Shalyn Smith (2-for-4) supplied 12 points apiece, with Monahan collecting ten boards for the double-double. Third-year guard Maggie McKitchen added 11 points (4-for-8, 3-for-7 3PT) off the bench. The second round of the LEC Tournament will be on Feb. 26, where RIC will see its first tournament action.

Men’s basketball @ Keene State – L, 90-69

Keene State split the season series one game apiece to end the regular season at home for the Owls. Third-year guard/forward Xavier Mendez led the team with 16 points (5-for-18) and nine rebounds alongside two blocks and a steal. Third-year guard CJ Wilson registered 13 points, connecting on four three-pointers. Fourth-year guard Loudon Chupas had a game-high five steals to go with 13 points. A six-game tumble to end the season at 7-9, the Anchormen still managed to get into the LEC Tournament as the sixth seed. A bout with third-seed Eastern Connecticut State University on Feb. 24 awaits.