Louisville
The University of Louisville women’s and men’s swimming and diving teams took a commanding lead and made NCAA A-cuts in a fast day at the UofL Invitational in the first day of racing Friday night at the Ralph Wright Natatorium.
The No. 12-ranked women lead with 679.50 ahead of Ohio University (397), Kenyon College (316.50), Illinois State (248) and Wright State (182). The No. 14-ranked Cardinal men posted 833 on the first day, followed by Kenyon College (306) and Wright State 302).
The Cardinals made NCAA A-cuts in three relays today and won every swimming event and one of the two diving events.
“We had some great swims tonight and those relays were a beautiful thing,” said UofL head coach Arthur Albiero. “Those kind of swims at the end of a long day are inspirational and help carry momentum over. I am pleased with the effort because there were a lot of races today and the energy was very good. A good first day and looking forward to getting even more done tomorrow.”
In the women’s 200-free relay team the Cardinals 1:28.20 an NCAA A-Cut as well as a pool and meet record put up by Andrea Kneppers (22.98), Kelsi Worrell (21.17), Mallory Comerford (21.69) and an anchor by Andrea Cottrell of 22.36. Abigail Houck was fourth in 4:49.92.
In the men’s 200-free Pedro Coutinho 20.26, Matthias Lindenbauer (19.99), Josh Quallen (19.71) and Trevor Carroll (19.09) combined for a 1:19.05 for the win and a meet record.
In the women’s 500-free, Mallory Comerford goes 4:41.20 for the win, the pool and meet record and an NCAA B-cut. Andrea Kneppers was second in 4:44.77 for second and Marah Pugh third in 4:47.68m.
The Cardinal men made it a 1-2-3 sweep led by Ruben Izarra’s 4:27.20 first place time. Next into the wall was Nolan Smith, who posted a 4:29.63 and Jake Schultz, who went 4:30.44. Nate Bond was seventh with a time of 4:39.55.
Men’s 1-meter diving was won by Sean Piner with a score of 340.50 which set a pool record. Daniel Fecteau was second with a mark of 328.20.
In the women’s 200-IM, freshman Rachael Bradford Feldman took top honors with B-cut time of 1:58.19. Andrea Cottrell was second in 1:59.00 and Alina Kendzior was third in 2:00.77, all three were NCAA B-cuts. Manuela Sampaio was sixth in 2:04.21.
In the men’s 200-IM, Nolan Tesone won with a 1:44.07 for a meet record and NCAA B-cut. Jonathan Zoucha was second in 1:45.97 followed by Josh Quallen in 1:48.20 and Ryan Massey’s 1:49.06 – all B-cuts. Zach Harting was fifth in 1:50.89, Carlos Claverie was sixth in 1:51.16 and Dexter Thomas had a 1:51.18 for seventh.
In the women’s 3-meter diving, Mady Ingmire was the top Louisville placer with a third, posting in 286.90. Andrea Acquista was fourth with a score of 272.70.
In the women’s 50-free, Kelsi Worrell boarded a 22.00 for an NCAA B-cut with Mallory Comerford in her wake for second in 22.70. Andrea Cottrell was third in 23.15. Maggie Patterson was sisth in 23.77 and Grace Long was seventh was 23.79.
In the men’s 50-free, Trevor Carroll held off the competition down the stretch for the win in 19.90 for an NCAA B-cut time. Matthias Lindenbauer was in hot pursuit with a 20.02 and Pedro Coutinho was third in 20.19, all were cuts. Grigory Tarasevich was fourth in 20.25 followed by Josh Quallen’s 20.36. Matyi Kovacs was sixth in 20.46 and Christian Garkani was seventh in 20.48 and Nick Hasemann was eighth in the 20.52 in the all-Cardinal A-final.
The women’s 400-medley relay team got an NCAA A-cut of 3:31.25 posted by Alina Kendzior (53.17), Andrea Cottrell (58.94), Kelsi Worrell (50.66) and Mallory Comerford (48.48) which was a pool and meet record as well.
The Cardinal men followed suit In their 400-medley relay with an NCAA A-cut 3:07.60 put up by Grigory Tarasevich (46.56), Carlos Claverie (52.72), Pedro Coutinho (45.75) and Trevor Carroll (42.57).
Day two gets underway tomorrow at 10 a.m. with prelims followed by diving at 1 p.m. and finals at 6 p.m.
Illinois State
The Illinois State swimming and diving team finished their first day at the Louisville Invite Friday in fourth place, as the Redbirds competed against Louisville, Ohio, Kenyon and Wright State.
Host Louisville leads the pack with 679.5 points. Illinois State is finished the day with 248 points, coming in ahead of Wright State (182). Ohio is in second (397) and Kenyon is in third (316.5).
Illinois State head swimming coach Scott Cameron was pleased with how his team performed on the first day of the three-day meet.
“We had a huge number of season best times in both prelims and finals, as well as a few lifetime bests,” said Cameron. “The girls made some great adjustments from their morning swims and swam some smarter races this evening in the finals. Overall, I’m very happy with this morning and am looking to carry this momentum over into tomorrow.”
The 400-yard medley relay consisting of Rachel Root, Rachel Holm, Kristin Verkler and Courtney Taylor swam to a third place finish, with a final time of 3:47.57. The 200-yard freestyle relay consisting of Taylor, Holm, Laura Paskoff and Sarah Thomas raced to a fourth place finish with a time of 1:36.09. Taylor also earned a seventh place finish in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:04.93.
Illinois State divers competed in the 3-meter diving event Friday, as Kelly Sanks earned 212.85 points, finishing in fifth place, while sophomore Kristen Larson finished in seventh place with 188.7 points.
Illinois State head diving coach, Phil Hoffmann was happy to see both of his divers earn points.
“I was happy with the way Kelly and Kristen performed today,” said Hoffmann. “It was so important that they got off on a good note to start the weekend.”
