Elsah, ILL— Friday night, the Principia College women's swimming and diving team hosted the Maryville Saints and lost 72-119. Although the team did not capture the win, there were individual successes which are further preparing the women for their final meet at Liberal Arts.
Bailey Bischoff placed third in the 200 yard freestyle as well as the 100 yard backstroke. As the lead off in the 200 freestyle relay, she earned a season best 50 yard split time of 28.92.
It was a great night for our two women divers,
Annika Erickson and
Caidi Gillett. Erickson placed first in the one-meter and three-meter diving events. On her final dive in the three-meter, Erickson wowed the audience with a beautiful no splash dive earning her sevens across the judging table and a new season, unshaven, and lifetime best records. That dive also placed her in eighth place on Principia's top 10 diving list. Gillett, as a first time diver, placed second in the one-meter diving event and earned two season best scores on her sixth dive on the one-meter and three-meter boards.
Other swimmers who performed well and earned new personal records were Dani McKenzie who placed first in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 26.30. McKenzie also placed first in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 58.94.
Shelby Barner placed second in the 100 yard breaststroke with a time of 1:23.99.
Caroline Morales earned a new season best in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 2:39.37, and
Hannah Schlomann earned a new season best in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 1:14.24.
Tonight's meet was a great way for the women to complete two weeks of difficult training. The hard work they have put into tonight and their practices will begin to pay off as we approach the finals.
The women will compete again at Principia College, this Friday, January 23 at 6pm against Hendrix College.
