Miami Looks Strong on First Day at Georgia Tech Invite
Nov. 18, 2011
Atlanta, Ga. – The University of Miami swimming and diving team enjoyed a successful opening day of the Georgia Tech Fall Invitational on Friday, finishing opening day action in fifth place after turning in 172 points inside the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center. The event runs through Sunday, Nov. 20.
Miami opened the day with a fifth place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, using the team of Celeste Degen, Hannah Kling, Kayla Smith and Kelsi Hall to a time of 1:33.84.
One of the many highlights of the day came in the 50 freestyle as Kelsi Hall collected the team’s first NCAA “B” cut performance of the year with a third place time of 22.69 in the finals. Hall also picked up an NCAA provisional qualifying mark during the prelims with a time of 22.71. Teammate Celeste Degen was third in the consolation finals as she touched the time pad at 23.74.
Junior Christine Anderson took the win in the “B” final of the 200 Individual Medley with a time of 2:03.84. For the Chattanooga, Tenn. native, the time was a personal best performance. She qualified for the finals with a time of 2:04.64 during the preliminary round.
In the diving well, Thea Vock finished fourth in the 1-meter springboard event as she turned in a score of 300.70. Freshman Kara McCormack finished just behind her in fifth with a score of 286.45 for head diving coach Randy Ableman. Lindsay Lester also competed in the event, while male diver Sam Dorman took part in the 3-meter springboard.
The Canes finished third in the 400 medley relay with a performance of 3:45.22 behind the swims of Kling, Sofia Johansson, Lucy Worrall and Hall.
“We had very little rest [over the last two weeks] and I’m happily surprised with how well the team is doing,” said swimming head coach Christie Shefchunas. “This has been a tough season, so far, with injuries. However, today was a demonstration that the ladies are focused and on track to have a great ACC’s and have a great team heading into NCAA’s.”
Miami continues action at the Georgia Tech Invitational on Saturday back inside the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center beginning at 9 a.m. For live results during the event, please locate your internet browser to RamblingWreck.com.
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