Results
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Despite impressive showings by multiple Nanooks, the Alaska swim team couldn't top Drury University on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Panthers 105-94 in a non-conference meet at the Patty Pool.
"As with yesterday's meet, we achieved a number of nationally ranked times today," head coach Scott Lemley said on Saturday. "Cassidy Heaton continues to tear up the pool with a 17:46.26 mile time, which currently ranks her sixth nationally. By far, the 400 medley relay we swam yesterday with Victoria Adams, Nga Nguyen, Martha Hood and Katie Stark was our best swim of the weekend."
The Panthers captured seven of the 11 events throughout the day, with Alaska claiming wins in the 200-yard freestyle, the 50-yard freestyle, the 200-yard breaststroke and the 400-yard freestyle relay.
Junior Katie Stark took first in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:56.62. Stark beat out Drury's Caytee Wright, Madeline Nelson and Laura Blackstone before junior Abby Blackstone (2:03.60) and sophomore Rachel Crosley (2:13.85) placed fifth and sixth, respectively.
Junior All-American Martha Hood placed first in the 50-yard freestyle race, with Hood's time of 0:24.95 barely edging out Drury's Vera Johansson, who recorded a 0:24.98. Senior Nga Nguyen (0:26.08) and junior Noelle Graham (0:26.59) placed fourth and sixth, respectively.
The Nooks swept the top-three spots in the 200-yard breaststroke, led by junior Kate Mathews who placed first with a time of 2:27.95. Freshman Melinda Farmer placed second with a time of 2:39.93 and freshman Claire McElroy ranking third with a time of 2:43.67.
"I'm also proud of how Sierra Kinworthy swam a18:04.11 mile, which ranks her seventh in the NCAA," Lemley added. "Another notable was Victoria Adams' personal-best in the 400 IM (4:41.18), which puts her 12th in the nation."
Alaska ended the day on a high note, placing first and second in the 400-yard freestyle relay, led by Nguyen, Stark, junior Noelle Graham and Mathews, who recorded a time of 3:41.13. Heaton, freshman Abigail Angaiak, freshman Ava Parrish and Blackstone placed second in the relay with a time of 3:52.24.
The Alaska Nanooks swim team is back in the pool next Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29 for a two-day PSCS conference meet. Friday's meet begins at 6pm, while Saturday's is slated for noon AKT.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks swim team, follow @NanooksSwim on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Swimming team page on Facebook.
