University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Atlantic 10 Championship
Record Run Rolls On: Spiders Capture A-10 Swimming & Diving Championship
02/21/2009 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Feb. 21, 2009
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Richmond won four events on Saturday night, setting Atlantic 10 records in three of them, and finished off it eighth-consecutive conference title in memorable fashion. Senior Lauren Beaudreau was named the Championship's Most Outstanding Performer for the second time in her career.
Named the Championship's Most Outstanding Performer, Beaudreau turned in one of the most dominating performance in the meet's history. The senior won seven medals - six golds - and broke five A-10 Championship records in the process.
Beaudreau eclipsed a conference record in the 200 breast (2:11.43), then helped the Spiders break another A-10 mark in the 400 free relay (3:22.87) in the meet's final event.
The Lafayette, Calif. native accounted for 214 of Richmond's 742 points for the meet. Fordham was second (549.5 points), followed by Duquesne (404.5), Massachusetts (398.5) and La Salle (388.5) in the top five.
"The whole night was awesome," said head coach Matt Barany. "We promote being selfless every day and tonight was a total group effort. Lauren is a senior that isn't ready for her career to be over. She put up a time in the 200 breast tonight that we hope qualifies for Nationals."
With the championship already clinched, the Spiders' 400 free relay of Alex Helland, Beaudreau, Katie Sieben and Charlotte Brackett won gold and set an A-10 record in a time of 3:22.87.
Sophomore Beth Ann Platt was fourth (2:01.47) and Elizabeth Hailand was seventh (2:02.65).
Freshman Alexi Kuska got Saturday started for Richmond with her victory in the 1,650 free in a time of 16:52.91. She was followed by Chrissy Brodt in fourth (17:19.15) and Michelle Johnson in eighth (17:27.86).
Brackett and Sieben finished third (51.30) and fourth (51.34), respectively, in the 100 free, while Hannah Marlow (52.36) collected points in the consolation final.
Senior Cara Smaniotto placed sixth in the 200 breast (2:21.21) with Mary Anne Lerro finishing 10th (2:21.74). Jill Smaniotto was lone Spider to score in the 100 fly - placing 10th in 2:04.80.
Beaudreau, who was also named the meet's Most Outstanding Performer in the 2006 and the Most Outstanding Rookie in 2005, went undefeated in her four-year A-10 Championship career in both the 200 breast and 200 IM.
Richmond's run in the A-10 Championship
2002: Richmond 752, St. Bonaventure 584.5 (+167.5)
2003: Richmond 785, St. Bonaventure 551.5 (+233.5)
2004: Richmond 889.5, St. Bonaventure 447 (+442.5)
2005: Richmond 921, St. Bonaventure 534 (+387)
2006: Richmond 747, St. Bonaventure 475 (+272)
2007: Richmond 737, Massachusetts 453 (+284)
2008: Richmond 690.5, Xavier 488 (+202.5)
2009: Richmond 742, Fordham 549.5 (+195.5)
