SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - (RV) USF Swimming competed in the opening day of the 2024 NSIC Swimming & Dive Championships today landing one individual All-Conference athlete, one All-Conference relay team and four podium appearances in Alessia Moro, Sarah Knox, the 200 Medley 'A' relay team and the 800 Free 'A' relay team. Sioux Falls end day one of competition in fourth place with 151 total points.

 

"Our first years have really shown up and showed out. The energy they, along with our veterans, have brought to the pool deck is unmatched and I can't wait to watch them excel throughout the remainder of the week," stated Interim Head Coach Anna Moore. "Our best swimming is still ahead of us this week so come on out and cheer on your Coo!"

 

Ursula Demarquet-Alban and Inn She Yap were the lone Cougars to compete in the finals of the 50 Free. Demarquet-Alban secured a third place finish in the B-Final with a time of 23.97 while Yap finished 2nd in the C-Final with a time of 24.49.

 

Valerie Childs earned a DII B-cut time in the 100 Fly time trial with a time of 55.57 for the Coo.

 

During the preliminary round in the 200IM, Emily Aten finished just outside the top-8 with a time of 2:08.80 to make it back to the B-Finals to finish 2nd in the B-final and 10th overall with a time of 2:09.19. Emily Groom, Phoebe Mosley and Inte Pas also made it back for the night cap. Groom picked up a 6th place finish in the B-Final with a finals time of 2:10.97, Mosley took the top spot in the C-Final with a time of 2:10.80 followed by Pas in 3rd of the C-Final with a time of 2:11.42.

 

Moro picked up NSIC All-Conference honors in the 1000 Free with a third place finish and a time of 10:23.40. Moro's time is also a DII B-cut time. Knox also stood atop of the podium with a 5th place finish and a time of 10:29.81.

 

The USF 'A' relay squad secured a third place finish in the 200 Medley relay with a time of 1:43.93. The relay team consisted of Domenica Solano Ocampo, Pas, Childs and Demarquet-Alban. The 'B' team consisting of Hannah Warmbrand, Abby Ford, Groom and Phini Schumacher secured a third place finish in the B-Final with a time of 1:46.67 followed by the 'C' team placing third in the C-Finals with a time of 1:51.60. The 'C' relay team consists of Mosley, Yap, Natalia Escalante and Josie Schlachter.

 

The All-Conference 800 Free relay 'A' team started with the No. 1 seed of the night. After a slow start, the Cougars came storming back from a 7th place deficit to finish 2nd on the night with a time of 7:39.00. The 800 Free Relay team consists of Moro, Valentina Brunelli, Schumacher and Childs. The 'B' relay team finished 3rd in the B-Final with a time of 7:49.86 consisting of Weronika Mrozek, Knox, Aten and Demarquet-Alban.

 

Cougar Swimming will be back in action tomorrow for Day Two of the NSIC Swimming & Diving Championships. Prelims will begin at 10AM with Finals beginning at 5:30PM. For all things USF Swimming, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!