Liberty reached double-figures in victories for the third time in the last four seasons, downing both host UNCW and CCSA foe Georgia Southern in a relay-focused meet on Friday at Seahawk Natatorium.
With the meet featuring three dual scores, Liberty defeated UNCW, 113-89 and posted a 110-63 victory over Georgia Southern. The host Seahawks edged the Eagles, head-to-head, 108-96.
The Lady Flames improve to 10-4 on the campaign, including 3-1 against CCSA opponents. UNCW is now 2-13 following a 1-1 day, while Georgia Southern falls to 6-4, 4-1 in CCSA meets. Liberty is now 5-2 all-time against the Eagles, and 1-0 versus the Seahawks.
Liberty won six out of eight relays on the evening, finishing in second during the remaining two races. The meet featured a unique program, with several non-traditional relays contested in addition to the 400 medley relay, 800 free relay and 200 free relay.
The quartet of junior Hannah Wakeley, junior Kristin VanDeventer and freshman Sarah Browning claimed victory in the 3X500 freestyle relay, clocking a time of 15:21.78.
Liberty then won the 200 butterfly relay, in 1:44.05, with a victorious squad comprised of junior Kendall Hough, freshman Danielle Booth, junior Ranndi Grubbs and Kendall Hart.
Junior Victoria Tschoke led off Liberty’s winning 200 backstroke relay, as Tschoke, senior Chloe Thomas, senior Emily Duff and Hough swam 1:45.47.
The Lady Flames earned a victory in a closely contested 200 breaststroke relay, in 2:04.43, as UNCW followed in 2:04.81 and GSU clocked 2:05.07. Senior Jennifer Garzinski, freshman Rachel Wasko, Boothe and Rooker combined for the winning time.
Liberty edged UNCW, 4:00.04 to 4:00.85, to claim first in the 4X100 IM relay. Wasko, Grubbs, Tschoke and Rooker teamed up to give Liberty its fifth victory of the night.
Freshman Rachel Hoeve, Hough, senior Cori Gary and Babcock posted a time of 1:35.16 to win the meet-ending 200 free relay.
Liberty opened the meet with a second-place showing in the 400 medley relay, as Duff, Rooker, Hart and Babcock clocked 3:57.20.
The Lady Flames took second and third in the 800 free relay, with Duff, Hoeve, freshman Chelsea Pond and VanDeventer swimming 7:47.27 for second.
Freshman Madi Long placed fourth in the one-meter springboard diving event, scoring 192.45 points.
The Lady Flames will conclude their regular-season schedule tomorrow at 2 p.m., competing in the UNCW Quad Meet at the Seahawk Natatorium. Liberty will face UNCW, Georgia Southern and College of Charleston in tomorrow’s meet.
