University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Day Two
Swimming Continues Torrid Pace At Terrapin Cup
11/16/2007 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Nov. 16, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Sophomore Katie Sieben won the 100 fly to collect the Spiders' second-ever NCAA A-cut as the Richmond swimming team continued competition Friday in the Terrapin Cup hosted by the University of Maryland. Jessica Witt won the 400 IM and Alex Helland won the 100 back.
A night after achieving her first career B-cut, Sieben recorded the second NCAA A-cut in program history by winning the 100 fly in 53.73. The time ranks as the second-fastest in school history behind the A-10 record 53.32 held by Brook Boncher (2004), who was Richmond's first A-cut swimmer. Sieben also finished fifth in the 200 free (1:52.27) and swam on both the 200 medley and 800 free relays that finished second.
"Katie's was by far the swim of the night," said head coach Matt Barany. "This A-cut guarantees her a spot in the NCAA National Championships and that time is one of the fastest in the country to this point."
Witt took the 400 IM, achieving an NCAA B-cut time of 4:18.97. Lauren Beaudreau was third in the event (4:23.85) and Cara Smaniotto (4:43.27) was 16th. Beaudreau and Smaniotto also scored Richmond points in the 100 breast, with Beaudreau finishing second (1:04.74) and Smaniotto taking eighth (1:06.67).
Helland won the 100 back, touching the wall first in 56.22. The sophomore swam on both silver-medal winning relays and was 16th in the 100 fly (59.61). A trio of freshman also scored points for the Spiders in the event. Elizabeth Hailand was 10th (58.92), Kylie Francis was 12th (59.37).
The 200 medley relay of Helland, Beaudreau, Sieben and Witt touched the wall second in 1:44.07. The same four took second in the 800 free relay in 7:31.14.
"Tonight was another tremendous team effort," said Barany. "Katie, Alex and Jessica had great swims and I see our freshmen are starting to put it together. The most impressive part of the night was the impact Katie's (Sieben) swim had on our team. Some of our girls said that it was the best thing they have ever seen in a pool."
Action concludes Saturday at the Terrapin Cup.
