MinnesotaThe No. 10 University of Minnesota women’s swimming and diving team cruised to a win at the Swimming World College Conference Carnival, today in East Brunswick, N.J. The Golden Gophers won five events yesterday and another eight today to post 308 points, a 99-point margin over second-place Rutgers (209).
Alison Eggers started the Gophers out on the right foot when she won the 50 free in 23.49, while teammate Meagan Radecke was second in 23.85. Ashley Steenvoorden won the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:50.66, while Marissa Davies placed third overall in 1:51.53. Steenvoorden would later win the 1,650 free in 16:20.78.
Hannah Whitehead earned a win in the 100 back when she touched the wall in 56.56. Castina Wabeke placed fifth in 57.89. Jillian Tyler won her second individual event of the Carnival when she clocked a winning time of 1:01.47. She won the 200 breast in the first day of the competition. Teammate Haley Spencer followed and finished second in 1:04.13.
Kaylee Jamison also walked away with her second individual win when she won the 100 fly. After earning a win in the 200 fly yesterday, Jamison chipped in a winning time of 54.91. Molly Belk placed fourth overall in 57.31.
The Gophers took the top two spots in the 400 individual medley when Kristen Steenvoorden won the event in 4:20.85. Belk added a second-place showing of 4:26.87.
The Gophers closed out the meet with two relay wins in the 400 free relay and the 200 medley relay. The group of Davies, Eggers, Radecke and Jamison combined for a time of 3:26.40 to win the 400 free relay, while Whitehead, Tyler, Jamison and Radecke added a time of 1:43.15 for the 200 medley relay win.
Minnesota had two divers compete in the event as well in Kelci Bryant and Katie Grunawalt. Bryant won both the 1-meter and 3-meter events with scores of 344.50 and 394.45. Grunawalt placed third in both events with scores of 264.35 and 264.70.
The Gophers return to Big Ten action next weekend as they compete in the Quad Duals against Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin, Friday and Saturday. Friday’s action is at 6 p.m., followed by noon on Saturday in Madison, Wis.
UMBC
The UMBC women’s swimming and diving team completed action at the prestigious Swimming World Magazine College Conference Carnival on the campus of Rutgers University Saturday night. The Retrievers finished the meet in third place with 171 points.
Minnesota won the competition with 308 points. Host Rutgers finshed second with 209, while the Retrievers were followed by Rider (121), Richmond (118) and CCSU (32). Rider won the MAAC last season, while CCSU won the Northeast Conference a year ago.
"Our ladies did really well all weekend and held their own against teams from the top of their conferences," head coach Chad Cradock said. "I'm very proud of them and am excited to see them keep the momentum going, starting with tomorrow against Marist."
In the final event of the evening, the 400 free relay team of senior Sam Maccherola (Woolford, Md./South Carroll/Tennessee), sophomore Ashley Miller (New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach), senior Jennifer Esposito (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst/C.W. Post) and sophomore Abbey McKenney (Wilmington, Del./Brandywine) claimed the silver medl in a time of 3:29.61.
Other medal winners on Saturday night included Esposito in the 100 fly earning the bronze in a time of 56.88, McKenney placing third in the 50 free in 24.36 and Maccherola earning silver in the 200 free in a time of 1:51.12.
Video of the events from the weekend can be seen at swimmingworld.tv.
The Retrievers return to action tomorrow when they are joined by the men’s team as they travel to Marist at noon.
