Swimming Impresses At All-Florida Invite

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Miami wrapped up its trip to the annual Pinch A Penny All-Florida Invitational on a high note Sunday, delivering an impressive performance on the final day of competition at the O’Connell Center Pool.

“We have set our expectations high this year. This is measured through our performance, but is accomplished every day,” head coach Andy Kershaw said. “This weekend showed that we have taken a step toward reaching those expectations. Now it is important that we continue taking steps and not stay in place.”

A sixth-place finish from Cameron Davis in the 1650-yard freestyle punctuated an impressive weekend for the sophomore, who served as one of Miami’s top point-getters over the three-day invitational.   She touched the wall in a time of 17:11.20 after being seeded with a time of 16:37.28, setting the stage for a strong final day.

Joining Davis on Sunday was fellow sophomore Angela Algee, who took fifth in the “A” final of the 200 butterfly (2:02.90) and freshman Julie Suarez, who earned a seventh-place finish in the “A” final of the 200 backstroke (2:05.17).

“Algee, Suarez and Davis were our ‘iron women’ of the weekend,” Kershaw said. “It seemed like every time we turned around they were stepping up on the blocks…very impressive showing out of our freshmen and sophomores.”

It wasn’t a total Miami youth movement in Gainesville, however. Facing competition from some of the nation’s top teams, senior Heather Arseth delivered a seventh-place finish in the “A” final of the 100 freestyle (51.67) and helped lead the 400 free relay entry to a sixth-place finish (3:29.83).

“Arseth certainly set herself up to have a great season,” Kershaw said. “She posted great times for this time of year. She is going to have a great senior year.”

Fellow veteran and team captain My Fridell took fourth in the “B” final of the 100 freestyle (52.18). She also served as a pivotal member on Miami’s relay teams throughout the weekend.

“Fridell looked great in her freestyle events and was key to our relays,” the head coach said. “Her fly was a little off, but it will come together, I have no doubt.”

Though not completely healthy, Miami delivered an impressionable performance in its first competitive outing of the 2014-15 season.

“We had some good balance across the board, and could have been even better had it not been for illness to a couple of key contributors,” Kershaw said.

Competing without its diving contingent, Miami finished the weekend in fifth place with a score of 389 points.

“I was very impressed with our grit and determination in our races,” Kershaw said. “We also were able to point out some areas where we need to improve. The meet has a great format and gave us a chance to race against some of the best in the state and country.”

Miami will train for the next two weeks in preparation for the SMU Classic, slated for Oct. 17-18.