SIOUX FALLS – The University of Sioux Falls Swimming Team finished a standout performance at the Augustana Invitational with seven more NCAA "B" cuts and two school records as the meet concluded on Saturday.
With those "B" cuts and school marks, USF finished with 23 NCAA cuts (21 "B") and seven school records.
After three days of competition, USF finished only behind two DI schools. SDSU was first with 1,301.5 points with USF second at 1,251 points and USF, third, at 1,092 points. Host Augustana was fourth with 894 points followed by U-Mary, 612.5; Iowa Central CC, 217; College of Saint Mary, 121; and Iowa Lake CC, 30.
"We had a tremendous mid-season showing. With 21 NCAA "B" cuts and seven school records over the weekend, we really built momentum into our last day of racing," said USF Swimming Coach
Chris Hamstra. "I feel confident when we need to go four days for the NSIC Championship this team will be ready to perform at their peak. The hard work we put in up to this point paid off this weekend, and has me really excited to see what this team can do in February at NSICs and then in March at the NCAA National Championships. Hats off to these ladies and their drive, passion, and bond as a team," he said.
Elizabeth Spaans picked up her third individual win during the three days of the meet as she clocked a 2:02.53 in the 200 back which was an NCAA "B" cut and placed her second. In the DII rankings, Spaans had a time that ranks 13th.
In the 200 fly,
Ella Johnson continued her domination in that event. She registered the second ranked time in DII (breaking her own previous mark of 2:02) with her clocking of 1:59.73, which was a school record and an NCAA "B" cut. Johnson, who won two individual events and was part of three winning relays during the three days of competition, also helped USF win the 400 free relay by leading off with an NCAA "B" cut of 51.91. Also on the team was
Jenna Krahn,
Ursula DeMarquet Alban and
Leah Eagleton. They clocked a 3:27.33 for a title. Also in the 400 free relay, the team of Spaans,
Tori Bailey, Giulia Marcon and
Evelyn VanDeMark finished sixth in 3:34.38.
In the 1650 Free,
Nina Groene was second in 17:24.07 and the 13th best time in DII, and
Makenzy Kennedy took fifth in 17:37.16, which is just out of the top 25 nationally. Also for USF Alexandra Sanchez Clark, was ninth in 17:59.45 in the same 1650 free race.
Also in the 200 fly,
Makenzy Kennedy was seventh in 2:09.84 but swam a 2:08.88 in the prelims while
Valerie Childs claimed eighth in 2:09.98.
In the 100 free,
Leah Eagleton finished second with a clocking of 51.43 which was an NCAA "B" cut and is No. 10 in DII. Demarquet clocking a "B" cut and 15th best time in DII of 51.63 while claiming fourth place. Also recording a "B" cut was
Jenna Krahn with a clocking of 51.52 and was 11th in the B final of the 100 free. Interestingly, Krahn's time ranks 13th in DII. Marcon was also ninth in the 100 free as she clocked a 52.31 in the A final after a morning clocking of 52.26.
Chantal Kasch won the 200 breast with an NCAA B cut of 2:17.58 (prelims) before clocking a 2:18.2 in the finals. With the clocking of 2:17.58 in the 200 breast, she ranks fifth in NCAA DII.
Abigail Ford was eighth in 2:26.55 also in the 200 Breast.
