WORCESTER, Mass. – With sophomore Kaitlin McGahie (Boylston/Tahanto Reg. HS) and freshman Emily Niemiec (Meriden, Conn./Francis T. Maloney HS) leading the way, the Bentley University women's swimming and diving team finished the first full day of competition in the Gompei Invitational at WPI in fifth place with a total of 567 points. A total of 12 teams are competing in the meet, which will conclude Sunday.

McGahie had the Falcons' highest finish in a swimming event, taking second in the 100 yard individual medley with a time of 1:01.28. Niemiec also competed in the event and finished fifth in 1:02.94. The times for both women were career bests.

McGahie also finished fifth in the 50 freestyle (25.08) and Niemiec was sixth in the 200 individual medley with her time of 2:13.29 a personal best.

McGahie helped Bentley post top five finishes in three relays with the Falcons placing fourth in the 800 free (8:04.16) and fifth in the 200 free (1:41.58) and the 400 medley (4:10.53). Niemiec, who took 11th in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.51) and the 100 IM (1:04.23), was also part of the 800 free and 400 medley quartets.

Also participating in those relays were seniors Nadine Edwards (Danbury, Conn,./Danbury HS) and Danielle Hellstern (Southbury, Conn./Pomperaug HS) in the two freestyle, freshman Jessica Chen (Darien, Conn./Darien HS) in the 200 free and 400 medley, and freshman Anne Warren (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. Hebron HS) in the 400 medley.

Sophomore Nicole Hellstern (Southbury, Conn./Pomeraug HS) was 12th in the 50 butterfly, posting a 28.63.

The three-meter diving was contested on Saturday as well, but those results were not yet available.

Bentley, in the team standings, trails first-place Assumption College (1484), WPI (1426.5), Roger Williams (1052.5) and Mount Holyoke (713.5).