Tulane University
West Florida, Air Force, UALR
SWIM: Tulane sweeps competition at West Florida
Oct 17, 2015 | Women's Swimming and Diving
PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Tulane women's swimming & diving team wrapped up the meet at West Florida with three more victories on Saturday. After sweeping the competition on Friday, the Green Wave finished ahead of their competition, topping West Florida 177-66, Air Force 143.50-98.50, and UALR 1940.50-43.50.
"We had another great day in the pool," said head coach Katie Robinson. "We finish one-two in the medley relay just like we did yesterday, and we kept that momentum going throughout the whole meet. We had some great swims. A little bit different events today and some people did the same events. Those who competed in the same events improved from Day 1 to Day 2."
Tulane again began and finished the meet with success in relay action, claiming the top two spots in the 200 medley relay to start things off and wrapped the meet up with a first- and third-place finish in the 200 free relay. The squad upped its total of top finishes from Friday, notching eight on the second day of action.
Alex Lakota had another strong day in distance action, finishing the 1000 free just behind Rachel Schneider (10:40.39) in fourth place, and later placed third in the 500 free with a time of 5:10.86.
Many of Tulane's newcomers were again amongst the top finishers of the day. Paris Zhang claimed the 50 free (24.20) and was also the leadoff swimmer on each of the first-place relay teams. Shelly Zelnick earned second in the 200 free (1:54.62), before tying UALR's Laura Ruiz Astorga for first in the 100 back (57.79). Lena Hayakawa was also a member of both top relay teams, while individually she added a second-place finish in the 100 breast (1:06.16). Emily Ramier rounded things out for the class in the pool with a second-place finish in the 400 IM (4:30.80).
Ellie Sills continued her success in the fly, tying for first in the 100 with a time of 56.25. Kaitlin Simpson was just behind her teammate, finishing third in 57.44. Mia Schachter claimed the 100 free (52.10), and was followed by Emma Lincoln in third (54.02).
Holly Grender and Joy Jason added top finishes for the Green Wave in the 400 IM (4:29.19) and the 100 breast (1:05.53), respectively.
In diving action, Caroline McCleary notched a fourth-place finish on the 3-meter with a score of 222.35, and Lauren Arnold was right behind her in fifth with a score of 220.60. Later, on the 1-meter board Arnold placed third with a score of 223.00. She was followed by McCleary in fourth (218.45) and Maren Kjell in fifth (214.85).
"Last year we had a similar meet at this time and we were weaker on the second day, but this year we were very strong on the second day." Robinson said. "This shows that we are improving and moving in the right direction as a program. Next time we have back-to-back days of competing will be in Houston at the mid-season invite and we are looking to be very, very strong there as well."
The Green Wave return to action on Saturday, Oct. 24. After two weeks of road competition, they welcome Vanderbilt to the Riley Center Natatorium for an 11 a.m. meet.
Players Mentioned
