BURLINGTON, Vt. – The defending America East Champions return to action after a weekend off as they host Maine Saturday at 11 a.m. in their annual Military Appreciation Meet presented by Milton CAT. The meet will be streamed live on AmericaEast.TV. Fans can visit the marketing table to write messages of appreciation to Veterans that will be delivered to the Josh Pallota Fund. At the Josh Pallotta Fund, they support Josh's House, a wellness and recreation center for Vermont's service members.
 
RELATED LINKS
Live Video: AE.TV
 
AMERICA EAST SPREAD RESPECT MEET
Saturday is also the Catamounts' America East Spread Respect Meet. Spread Respect is an initiative that was developed by the America East Conference to raise awareness to ensure equality and safety for all student-athletes, coaches and fans without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.
 
Recognizing the importance of proper feminine care products to participate in swimming & diving the Catamounts have partnered with the North End Food Pantry. They'll be collecting donations of feminine care products to give back to the local community. There will be a donation box for products such as tampons and pads.
 
As many as 1-in-3 low-income individuals with periods struggle to obtain these essential items. Without the correct products, people can miss school, work & other important activities.
 
SCOUTING THE BLACK BEARS

• This is the Black Bears first official action of the season after topping New Brunswick and Maine Maritime Academy on two separate weekends in October.
• Last season the Black Bears finished fifth at the 2024 America East Swimming and Diving Championships with 376.5 points.
• The top returning Black Bear is senior Hannah Deighan, she placed fourth overall in the 100 free at the league meet.
• Last year the Catamounts topped the Black Bears 170-127 in a dual meet from Orono's Stanley M. Wallace Pool.
• UVM won 10 of the events last season in their visit to Orono including a diving sweep by Tannah Proudfoot.
• This will be the 15th all-time matchup between the two squads with Vermont holding a 14-0 advantage in the series.
• The first meeting between the Black Bears and Catamounts came in 2010 at a neutral site, where Vermont came away with a 175-119 victory. 

FINAL HOME MEET SLATED FOR JANUARY 18
Vermont's final home meet of the season will be their annual Senior Day presented by MVP Health Advantage against Rhode Island on Saturday, January 18. That meet is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
 
For more news about the Vermont swimming & diving program, follow @UVMswimanddive on Instagram, @UVMswimming on X and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.
 
Speeder & Earl's Coffee is the presenting sponsor of Vermont swimming & diving