University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Atlantic 10 Championship
Spiders Break A-10's 200 Medley Relay Record, Third After Day One
02/18/2009 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Feb. 18, 2009
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Richmond swimming & diving team finds itself in rare position: trailing after Day One of the Atlantic 10 Championship. The Spiders set a championship record in the 200 medley, but finished second in the 800 free relay and sit third heading into Thursday's action in Buffalo.
Just twice in their eight years as an A-10 member have the Spiders, who have won seven-straight titles, not led after the Wednesday session - this season and 2006, when Richmond was in second place.
But the Spiders jumped out to a quick start, winning the 200 medley relay for the seventh time in eight years. The team of junior Alex Helland, senior Lauren Beaudreau, junior Katie Sieben and freshman Charlotte Brackett crushed the field by nearly four seconds in a time of 1:40.17, good for 40 points.
That time stands as an NCAA "B" cut and set both the A-10 Championship and Flickinger Center pool records. The previous mark of 1:43.49 was held by Richmond's Helland, Beaudreau, Jessica Witt and C.J. Pisano set in 2007.
"Our medley relay worked out some of our nerves tonight," said head coach Matt Barany. "Tonight they were a model for grace under pressure and this gives these four positive momentums for the days ahead."
Another record fell in the 800 free relay, but Fordham was the victor and dethroned Richmond's eight-year vice-grip on the event. The Rams broke the A-10 Championship and pool records with a time of 7:24.25, besting the Spiders' second-place relay (7:27.63) of Beaudreau, sophomore Hannah Marlow, sophomore Elizabeth Hailand and sophomore Chrissy Brodt.
The previous record was also held by Richmond when Caitlin Geary, Beaudreau, Witt and Joanna Rakoczy swam a 7:28.19 in 2007.
Massachusetts, which scored 53 points thanks to a sweep of the top three places in 1-meter diving, leads with 107 points. Fordham (99) is second, followed by Richmond (74), Saint Louis (72) and La Salle (68) to complete the top five.
Action continues Thursday morning in Buffalo. Stay tuned to RichmondSpiders.com throughout the weekend for live meet results and daily recaps.
