University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Duke
Swimming Beats UNCW, Falls To Duke In Season-Opener
10/20/2007 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 20, 2007
DURHAM, N.C. - The Richmond women's swimming team opened its 2007-08 season by beating UNC-Wilmington Saturday afternoon in Durham, N.C. The Spiders downed the Seahawks 169.5-115.5, but fell to host Duke, 199-96. Richmond was without All-American Jessica Witt, who was competing Saturday at the 10K Open Water World Championships In Ft. Myers, Fla., where she placed 10th.
Witt finished 10th, but fell short of her bid to swim in the 2008 Olympics.
"This is a great experience for Jessica," said head coach Matt Barany, who was in Ft. Myers. "She had to pace until the end and out-touch some swimmers. These are the best open water swimmers in our country and this was only her second 10K. She is growing more comfortable in this crowd and I look forward to her now focusing on the NCAA season."
While Witt was swimming outdoors in Florida, the rest of her Spider team opened its season at Duke. Richmond took three golds in dual meet between Duke and UNCW.
"This is a young team," said assistant coach Kathryn Peterson. "But I was proud of the leadership that the upperclassmen provided and proud to see our freshmen class up for the challenge.
"Katie Sieben, Beth Ann Platt, and Nicole LePere made some significant contributions today in both their individual races and relays, posting some great times for us early in the season. With the first meet of the season under our belt I think the women now know what to expect and gives us a great foundation to build on."
Sieben, a sophomore, won the 50 free, out-touching the field by a half-second in 24.18. She was also second in the 100 free in a time of 53.24. Platt won the 200 back, taking gold in a time of 2:07.37. The sophomore was also second in the 100 back (59.28).
LePere, a freshman, finished second behind Platt in the 200 back in a time of 2:07.55. Sieben and LePere finished second and third, respectively in the 100 fly. Junior Lauren Beaudreau took first in the 200 IM in a time of 2:09.92. She was followed in second by Platt (2:11.37).
Richmond's 400 free relay of freshman Hannah Marlow, freshman Kylie Francis, freshman Elizabeth Hailand and Beaudreau took second in a time of 3:39.39.
