Swimming & Diving Defeats University of Houston, 139-103
Nov. 6, 2010
Complete Results | Complete Results (PDF) 
Coral Gables, Fla. – The University of Miami swimming & diving team claimed its second win in as many days on Saturday, collecting a 139-103 victory from the University of Houston at the Campus Recreation Center and Wellness Center Natatorium on the UH campus.
Under the direction of fifth-year head coach Christie Shefchunas, the University of Miami swimming team (4-1) registered its eighth win in the last nine dual meets. The diving team looked equally impressive, serving under the direction of veteran coach Randy Ableman.
UM opened the day grabbing the first and second place time in the 200-yard medley relay. The winning team of Whitney Stephenson (leadoff), Sofia Johansson (second), Annika Saarnak (third) and Kelsi Hall (anchor) posted the winning time of 1:44.75, with the second place team of Hannah Kling (leadoff), Dana Hatic (second), Deidre Novotny (third) and Kayla Smith (anchor) registering a mark of 1:48.33.
In the 1650-yard freestyle, UM sophomore Christine Anderson registered a new UM season-best time of 17:09.91, collecting the win in the process. Whitney Stephenson was second in the 200-yard freestyle with a mark of 1:53.48, and teammate senior Ryann Labreche coming in third at 1:55.44.
The Hurricanes went “1-2-3” in the 50-yard freestyle, as junior transfer Kelsi Hall claimed the win at 23.55. Senior Annika Saarnak (24.05) and Hannah Kling (24.45) followed Hall in order. Junior Roxanne Meyer was the top performer for UM in the 400-yard individual medley, turning in a time of 4:30.85, followed by senior Deidre Novotny touching the wall at 4:34.59.
In the diving well, the Hurricanes claimed all three top scores on the one-meter springboard with Thea Vock standing atop the podium with a score of 287.32. Lindsay Lester was second (286.42) and Carrie Dragland was third (278.63). On the three-meter board, Vock led all participants with a score of 326.93. Dragland was third (300.90) and Lester was fifth (284.33).
Hall picked up second place honors in the 100-yard freestyle, touching the time pad at 52.11, and newcomer Alexis Fee was fourth, putting up a time of 54.41. Meanwhile, the top three performances went to the `Canes in the 200-yard backstroke, using the strength of Stephenson on a UM season-best time of 2:02.32 for the win. Meyer followed at 2:03.79, and Kling finished at 2:04.78.
Labreche registered a time of 5:04.77 in the 500-yard freestyle, as teammate Lauren Jacoby finished at 5:18.81. Anderson had a personal-best performance in the 200-yard breaststroke, touching at 2:19.23, and Dana Hatic followed just behind her in third at 2:21.72.
In the final relay event, the `Canes went first and second again during the 200-yard freestyle relay. The winning team posted a time of 1:38.62 behind the swims of Kayla Smith (leadoff), Deidre Novotny (second), Alexis Fee (third) and Katherine Nicholson (anchor).
“I’m very excited about walking out of the weekend 2-0,” said Shefchunas. “Today was about staying mentally tough after a physically draining meet yesterday. Houston is a very good team, and I knew it would be tough. But the ladies keep stepping up and getting the job done. I’m very proud of this group, and we’re all really looking forward to the Georgia Tech Invitational.”
The next meet for the `Canes will be the Georgia Tech Invitational being held Nov. 19-21 in Atlanta.
For more information on the University of Miami swimming & diving program, 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.
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