Virginia Women in Fifth After Day Three of NCAAs
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March 18, 2016
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ATLANTA–The Virginia women’s swimming and diving team had four top-eight finishes on the third day of the NCAA Championships Friday (March 18) at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta.
After three days, the Cavaliers sit in fifth place with 196 points, behind Georgia (285), California (267.5), Stanford (265) and Texas A&M (201.5).
“We are in a great position to capture out number one team goal at the start of the season, which to be top four at the NCAA Championships,” UVA head coach Augie Busch said. “I can’t wait to watch this group of women battle for the podium tomorrow.”
The 200-yard medley relay of senior Courtney Bartholomew (Holland, Mich.), juniors Laura Simon (Simmern, Germany) and Ellen Thomas (Guildford, United Kingdom) and sophomore Caitlin Cooper (Atlanta, Ga.) placed fourth in a time of 1:35.80. It is the Cavaliers’ third-consecutive top-eight finish in the event. For the first time in school history, UVA has placed in the top eight in four relays at the NCAA Championships.
Bartholomew finished as the NCAA runner-up in the 100 back for the second-consecutive year, finishing in a time of 50.73. She is now a 12-time first-team All-American, the most in school history.
“I was disappointed, but when I saw my teammates while I was up on the podium, it made me think about how 20 years down the road, it won’t be about what place I got or what I time I touched in, it will be about what I was able to accomplish with my teammates,” Bartholomew said. “It is always about the team.”
Junior Leah Smith (Pittsburgh, Pa.) finished sixth in the 200 free in a time of 1:43.50 and is now an eight-time first-team All-American (10-time All-American overall). Also in the 200 free, freshman Megan Moroney (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) placed 11th overall in 1:44.89. Her time of 1:44.32 in the prelims ranks third on UVA’s all-time list.
In the 100 breast, Simon placed seventh in 58.91. With the finish, Simon is now an eight-time first-team All-American.
In 3-meter diving, senior Becca Corbett (Louisville, Ky.) placed 22nd with a sore of 298.60, while sophomore Jennifer Marrkand (Westport, Mass.) was 22nd in the 400 IM in 4:10.02. Thomas placed 23rd in the 100 fly in 52.65.
The national meet concludes Saturday (March 19) with prelims at 10 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m. The 1,650 free, 200 back, 200 breast, 100 free, 200 fly, platform diving and 400 free relay will be contested.
Virginia’s Friday NCAA Results
400 Individual Medley
22. Jennifer Marrkand – 4:10.02
33. Kaitlyn Jones – 4:13.29
100 Butterfly
23. Ellen Thomas – 52.65
47. Shannon Rauth – 53.83
200 Freestyle
6. Leah Smith – 1:43.50 (1:43.89 in prelims)
11. Megan Moroney – 1:44.89 (1:44.32 in prelims)
29. Hanne Borgersen – 1:45.92
31. Eryn Eddy – 1:46.09
100 Breaststroke
7. Laura Simon – 58.91 (59.00 in prelims)
40. Vivian Tafuto – 1:01.19
100 Backstroke
2. Courtney Bartholomew – 50.73 (50.60 in prelims)
3-meter Diving
22. Becca Corbett – 298.60
40. Corey Johnson – 275.75
50. Kylie Towbin – 238.95
200 Medley Relay
4. Bartholomew, Simon, Thomas, Cooper – 1:35.80 (1:35.70 in prelims)