Hurricanes Swimmers Compete Hard at FGCU
Oct. 17, 2009
Ft. Myers, Fla. – Annika Saarnak and Sofia Johansson each posted wins on Saturday as the University of Miami swimming and diving team took part in a tri-meet against Florida Gulf Coast and Florida State at the Lee County/FGCU Aquatics Center on the FGCU campus in Ft. Myers, Fla.
UM head swimming coach Christie Shefchunas, now in her fourth year in Coral Gables, stated the Hurricanes look more impressive than any she’s had so far at UM. The team is accumulating better times with each meet, and she’s happy about the progress the team is making without the diving team helping with valuable points.
Miami (0-5, 0-3 ACC) fell in both duals at FGCU, falling to the host Eagles (L, 195-99) and ACC foe FSU Seminoles (L, 183-108).
“The girls had a really tough week of training and it showed,” Shefchunas said. “They definitely had to give more fight to finish their races strong this week. They definitely looked fatigued, but it’s all about being a warrior and fighting through it.”
One of the people Shefchunas saw fight through fatigue was Sofia Johansson, a freshman from Ramlösa, Sweden. Johansson collected wins in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke. For Johansson, Saturday’s meet marked just her second-ever short course event. The win was Johansson’s second consecutive in the 100 breast, and her second top three performance in the 200 breast.
In the 100 breast, Johansson collected a time of 1:04.66, bouncing back for her victorious performance of 2:19.58 in the 200 breast. Freshman Christine Anderson went second for UM in the 100 breast with her mark of 1:06.15, then finishing third in the 200 breast at 2:21.50.
Also performing well was junior Annika Saarnak (Puhaleda, Estonia), claiming winning times in both the 100- and 200-yard freestyle. Saarnak has now registered five top three times in multiple events in just two meets thus far on the year. Saarnak posted a time of 1:51.76 in the 200 freestyle, while coming back for the winning time of 51.95 seconds in the 100 free.
“Annika [Saarnak] and Sofia [Johansson] were double event winners,” stated Shefchunas. “They’re really leading the team, looking great physically and mentally.”
Lauren Jacoby was fourth for UM in the 200 free, touching the wall at 1:53.21, only to finish in the top five again (fourth) in the 100 free with a time of 53.22 seconds. Roxanne Meyer went third in the 400-yard individual medley (4:36.69), and the UM 200-yard freestyle relay squad went third with a performing time of 1:38.04. Saarnak swam leadoff for the `Canes, while Jacoby (second), Hannah Kling (third) and Kayla Smith (anchor) rounded out the team.
Ryann Labreche was also in action on Saturday, finishing second in the 1000-yard freestyle with a 10:17.50 mark.
The Hurricanes will have time to rest and continue rigorous training before venturing to their next event, a tri-meet at ACC opponent Virginia Tech where they will also face ACC foe Duke. The meet is set for Nov. 7 in Blacksburg, Va., beginning at 1 p.m.
“We have three weeks to get ready for Virginia Tech and Duke, and I know the girls will be ready,” continued Shefchunas. “Then, off to Ohio State to finish out our fall schedule where we will finally rest and try to get some NCAA cuts out of the way early.”
For more information on the University of Miami Swimming & Diving team, please log on to www.hurricanesports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, results and information regarding the Hurricanes Swimming & Diving program.
