GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Swarthmore College women's swimming team finished in ninth place at the NCAA Division III Championships, which concluded on Saturday, marking the highest team placement at the national championships in program history.
The Garnet ended the four-day meet with 126 points. Swarthmore's previous top finish at NCAAs was 17
th in 1996.
The Garnet added two more All-America accolades on the final day of competition Saturday. The 400 freestyle relay of
Genine Collins,
Ainsley Jane Tambling,
Quinn Weygandt, and
Elle Anthony took seventh place to earn All-America First Team honors.
Collins was named an All-American twice on the day, as she also came in 10
th in the 100 freestyle to grab a spot on the Second Team.
Overall, Swarthmore had six athletes combine for eight All-America performances during the championships (five individual, three relay). Five of the eight were First Team accolades.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The 400 freestyle relay narrowly claimed the eighth and final spot in the championship final during the morning prelims. The Garnet's time of 3:26.69 surpassed the ninth-place qualifier by just 0.13 seconds. Swarthmore then changed up its relay order for the final, and improved one spot to seventh place (3:25.89). The Garnet also jumped up three spots from their seed of 10
th entering the meet. Swarthmore's final and prelim times rank second and third in the program record book.
- Collins had the 13
th-best time (51.28) in the 100 freestyle prelims to advance to the consolation final. She then took second in the night race to place 10
th overall, clocking in at 51.10. The rookie took a massive leap from her seed of 22
nd entering the event. Later in the evening, Collins posted a personal-best 100 freestyle time (51.06) as the lead-off in the 400 freestyle relay. That time ranks second in program history. Collins was the most decorated Swarthmore athlete in her nationals debut, racking up five All-America honors (three relay, two individual).
-
Elle Anthony competed alongside Collins in the 100 freestyle and finished 29
th (51.66). Her four All-America awards during the week were second on the squad (three relay, one individual).
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Sophie Rotival wrapped up her schedule with the 200 breaststroke, coming in 37
th place (2:22.18). She concluded the week with three All-America honors, including two on the First Team (100 breaststroke, 200 freestyle relay).
-
Kate Hallmark swam in the 1650 freestyle and finished 33
rd with a time of 17:38.73. It is the second straight year in which she competed in the event.
ALL-AMERICA PERFORMANCES
Genine Collins – 50 freestyle*, 200 freestyle relay*, 400 freestyle relay*, 100 freestyle**, 400 medley relay**
Elle Anthony – 200 freestyle relay*, 400 freestyle relay*, 50 freestyle**, 400 medley relay**
Sophie Rotival – 100 breaststroke*, 200 freestyle relay*, 400 medley relay**
Quinn Weygandt – 400 individual medley*, 400 freestyle relay*
Ainsley Jane Tambling – 200 freestyle relay*, 400 freestyle relay*
Erin Szuromi – 400 medley relay**
* - First Team | ** - Second Team
