LOS ANGELES, California – The Alaska Nanooks women's swim team finished day three of the PCSC Championships at East Los Angeles College with a day full of new personal achievements and a first-place finish.
In the first event of the day, the 100-yard fly,
Oda Bygdnes won first place with a time of, 55.71.
Jessica Williamson also appeared in the event and set a lifetime best time of 1:02.04.
In the 400-yard individual medley, Rachael Beal was the sole competitor for the Alaska. She finished in 10
th place with a time of 4:39.50.
Camille Dayton set her collegiate best time of, 2:03.22, in the 200-yard freestyle. She placed 25
th in the event and was the only Nanook competing in the event.
Alaska had three swimmers compete in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Kaia Norbye, the conference runner-up, finished with a time of 1:04.18.
Whitney McArthur set a lifetime best time of, 1:07.67, and finished 13
th.
Alexis Mattson finished 28
th with a time of 1:19.07.
The 'Nooks had another best, this time a season best time of, 58.45, from
Erika Kakazu in the 100-yard backstroke. She finished 7
th in the event and was the only member of the team to compete in the event.
In the 400-yard medley relay, Alaska grabbed a fifth-place finish and a 17
th place finish. A team comprised of
Erika Kakazu,
Kaia Norbye, Oda Bygen, and
Whitney McArthur finished fifth with a time of 3:56.03.
Rachel Beal,
Caroline McCormick,
Jessica Williamson,
Kyleigh McArthur made up the other team for Alaska and finished 17
th with a time of 4:12.15.
Rachel Beal led off the relay for her team with a lifetime best time of, 1:01.72, in the 100-yard backstroke.
In the 100-yard butterfly time trial,
Oda Bygdnes finished with a time of 54.99. This ranks her 14th in the NCAA Division II national rankings, which makes her a highly eligible prospect for NCAA Swimming Championships in March. Official NCAA rankings list comes out 2/25/20. Usually the NCAA takes approximately 27 swimmers per event each year.
Head coach
Becca Weiland was proud of her team's performance and achievements. "Tonight was a great night for the 'Nooks! We had multiple swimmers tonight swim personal best times, including
Whitney McArthur,
Jessica Williamson and
Rachel Beal, respectfully. Oda had a phenomenal night in the 100 Fly, winning her individual event and ending the night with a blazing time trial in the same race. And Kaia was conference runner-up in the 100 Breast. Our women represented UAF very well tonight."
Tomorrow, Feb. 15, will be the final day of the PCSC championships. The events for the day will be the 1650-yard freestyle, 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard butterfly and 400-yard freestyle relay.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks swim team, follow @NanooksSwim on Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks Swimming team page on Facebook.
