Swimming Wraps Up Conference Second, Third
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Asbury women took third and the men second at the Appalachian Swim Conference Meet hosted by Union (Ky.) College at Stivers Aquatic Center. Asbury finished second in both men’s and women’s a year ago.
The Eagles set two school records and reached 12 more NAIA national cuts on the final day of competition. The men’s second place finish wasn’t determined until the final event, the 400 free relay. The Eagles were able to out-touch Union for second in relay and secured enough points to take second over Mars Hill in the meet. That relay team set a school record with a 3:09.07 with Jake Courey, Trevor Ehrenheim, Jimmy Hall and Cody Barnes swimming.
The men finished with 461 points to Mars Hill’s 453. Wheeling Jesuit won the meet with 701 points. On the women’s side Notre Dame won with 558 points followed by WJU with 554 and then Asbury with 451.
The women had three NAIA qualifiers in the 100 back on Saturday as Claire Houlton (1:00.50), Katie Duncan (1:00.57) and Ranay Ray (1:01.89) all qualified. Houlton went on to qualify in the 100 free after a leadoff 55.49 in the 400 free relay. The team finished third in the event with a time of 3:39.97.
The only other qualifier for the NAIA meet on the women’s side from Saturday was Caitlin Gagnon in the 400 IM. Gagnon took 7th as teammate Ranay Ray finished 5th. Rebecca Landry took 8th in the 200 breast and 8th in the 100 fly as Kayley Valentien took 4th in the 200 free to round out top-8 finishers.
The men saw seven make NAIA cuts including two each in the 200 free and 200 breast. Jake Courey and Tyler Decker got their cut in the 200 free as Courey took 8th and Decker placed 10th. Jimmy Hall and Cody Barnes qualified in the 200 breast, Hall setting a school record in his prelim swim.
Other notable finishers included Barnes taking 5th in the 50 free and Trevor Ehrenheim placing 4th in the 400 IM. Stuart Iverson qualified for the 400 IM at nationals and placed 6th on Saturday. Friend Bechtel placed 8th in the 100 back and Jake Courey qualified in the 50 free, placing 10th.
The 2013 NAIA National Meet will begin with diving on Wednesday, February 27. Asbury will first hit the pool the next day on February 28. For the first time the NAIA will provide live video for the meet, that information can be found here. You will have to sign up but it will not cost any money to watch.
