Asbury swimmers and divers make their mark in NAIA

By Heath Tingle, sports information director

Matt Hood

Wilmore, Ky. - Asbury College currently holds four first-place times and scores among national powerhouses in a report released by the NAIA in December. Matt Hood's time of 1:44.48 in the 200-yard freestyle event at the Patrick Woehkner Invitational hosted at Wabash College currently stands as the fastest time in the country for the 2007-08 season.

The Eagles also placed first in the men's 800-yard relay thanks to their time at the Wabash meet with a result of 7:25.49 put together by Hood, Brad Huster, Chris Lipka, and Will Sallee.

Ashley Poore

Caitlynn Taylor

Asbury also holds the top two spots in each of the women's 1 & 3 meter diving events. Caitlynn Taylor ranks first in the country with her score of 234.80 in a meet with Transylvania and Union on Nov. 3. Ashley Poore secured the second-best score with a 229.55 at the Wabash meet on Nov. 16. For the 3-meter results, Poore ranks first with 234.45 in a meet against Sewanee on Oct.19 with Taylor registering a score of 228.85 against Berea, Campbellsville, and Milligan the next day, Oct. 20.

Kelsey Perrine

All in all, Asbury swimmers currently stand in the top 10 in 26 separate events. Hood holds rankings in seven different events, including five individual disciplines (100, 200, 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyle) and two relay events (200 & 800 freestyle relays). Kelsey Perrine places in five events, including three individual disciplines (100 & 200 backstroke, 200 IM) and two relays (200 medley and 800 freestyle). The Asbury women rank second in the country in the 800 freestyle in a time of 8:20.32 compiled by Perrine, Abigail Sterneman, Allison Hubach and Lindsay Keyes.