Virginia Concludes Second Day of NCAAs
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March 21, 2014
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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.—The Virginia women’s swimming and diving team earned three top-eight finishes on the second day of the NCAA Championships Friday (March 21) at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
The Cavaliers sit in a tie for 10th place with 84 points. Georgia leads with 369 points, followed by Stanford (297) and California (285).
The 800 free relay of freshman Leah Smith (Pittsburgh, Pa.), senior Caroline Kenney (Suwanee, Ga.), sophomore Hanne Borgersen (Frederick, Md.) and senior Rachel Naurath (Manakin-Sabot, Va.) placed fifth in a time of 7:01.81. It was the third-fastest time in school history and is eighth consecutive year the Cavaliers have scored at the national meet in the event.
“We had a couple of outstanding relays tonight, including a fantastic 800 free relay that will give us great momentum into what I think is our best day,” UVa head coach Augie Busch said.
Sophomore Courtney Bartholomew (Holland, Mich.) touched fifth in the 100 back in a time of 51.12 to earn All-America honors for the third time in an individual event. She earned honorable mention All-America honors in the 100 and 200 back at last year’s NCAA meet. Bartholomew is the fifth Cavalier to earn multiple All-America honors in the 100 back and the first to finish in the top eight in the event since 2010 (Lauren Smart – eighth place).
“It is exciting to considered an All-American, not just an honorable mention All-American,” Bartholomew said. “I think the back half of the swim tonight shows that I am ready for the 200 back tomorrow. I am looking forward to see how I can move up after being in the B final last year.”
In the 200 medley relay, the team of sophomore Courtney Bartholomew (Holland, Mich.), freshman Laura Simon (Simmern, Germany), junior Ellen Williamson (Ft. Mitchell, Ky.) and senior Emily Lloyd (Severna Park, Md.) placed seventh in a time of 1:37.21, the second-fastest time in school history. The foursome went a time of 1:37.31 in prelims, the third-fastest mark in UVa history. It is the fifth time UVa has finished in the top eight in the event.
Smith placed just outside the scoring spots in the 200 free, placing 17th in 1:45.37. Kenney was 26th in 1:45.90, while sophomore Hanne Borgersen (Frederick, Md.) finished 33rd in 1:46.56.
In the 100 breast, Simon touched 21st in 1:00.29. Junior Shaun Casey (Port Orange, Fla.) and sophomore Haley Durmer (Decatur, Ga.) placed 24th and 31st in the 400 IM in 4:11.46 and 4:13.07, respectively. Junior Ellen Williamson (Ft. Mitchell, Ky.) finished 30th in the 100 fly in a time of 53.06.
The meet concludes Saturday with the 1,650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, platform diving and 400 free relay events being contested. Prelims start at noon, while finals are scheduled for an 8 p.m. start. Times are Eastern.
Friday’s Finals Results
200 Medley Relay
Courtney Bartholomew, Laura Simon, Ellen Williamson, Emily Lloyd – 7th – 1:37.21
100 Backstroke
Courtney Bartholomew – 5th – 51.12
800 Free Relay
Leah Smith, Caroline Kenney, Hanne Borgersen, Rachel Naurath – 5th – 7:01.81
Friday’s Prelim Results
200 Medley Relay
Courtney Bartholomew, Laura Simon, Ellen Williamson, Emily Lloyd – 7th – 1:37.31
400 Individual Medley
Shaun Casey – 24th – 4:11.46
Haley Durmer – 31st – 4:13.07
100 Butterfly
Ellen Williamson – 30th – 53.06
200 Freestyle
Leah Smith – 17th – 1:45.37
Caroline Kenney – 26th – 1:45.90
Hanne Borgersen – 33rd – 1:46.56
100 Breaststroke
Laura Simon – 21st – 1:00.29
100 Backstroke
Courtney Bartholomew – 4th – 51.66
Kaitlyn Jones – 41st – 53.92