Swim Team Takes 4th Overall in Conference Championship
The Converse College swim team finished fourth overall in the Bluegrass Mountain Conference, improving from its 11th place finish the year before.
Freshman Elizabeth Wright started the Valkyries off by taking 8th in the 1650 freestyle with a lifetime best of 18:39.14.
Next, Senior Lucianne Kimura took first in the consolation heat of the 200 backstroke with a NCAA B cut time of 2:08.71.
Freshmen Jess Mason and Jesse Pope placed 1st and 4th respectively in the 100 freestyle with each going a lifetime best.
Sophomore Jenni Russell earned her second All-Conference swim as she placed 4th in the 200 breaststroke.
Three Valkyries saw night swims in the 200 fly. Jana Gentry achieved a lifetime best and took 1st in the consolation heat with teammate Kimura taking 6th. Freshman Christl Bradley took 5th in the finals heat with a lifetime best and NCAA B cut of 2:08.75.
The team ended the meet with a close race against SCAD in the 400 freestyle relay, placing 4th. The relay team of Ashley Johnson, Jesse Pope, Rhiannon Gluhosky, and Jess Mason broke the previous school record by a full 5 seconds at 3:34.53.
Overall, the Valkyries had seven swimmers to earn All-Conference Honors and earn NCAA B Cuts.
The team will now wait to see who will be invited to NCAA Division II Nationals, which will be held in San Antonio, TX.
Overall Team Results
1. Johns Hopkins University 796.5
2. Wingate University 707
3. Savannah College of Art/Design 418.5
4. Converse College 397
5. Limestone College 229
6. Transylvania University 226
7. Catawba College 212
8. Pfeiffer University 144
9. Lenoir Rhyne University 128
10. Fairmont State University 104
11. West Virginia Wesleyan College 98
12. Queens University of Charlotte 87
13. Washington & Lee University 28