Swim and Dive right in the mix after day 2 of WAC Championships

Thursday, February 18

St. George, Utah

All Day

University of Northern Colorado

WAC Championship (Swimming) Day 2

2/18/2021 8:01:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving

FINAL RESULTS

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

ST. GEORGE, Utah – The action is heating up inside the Human Performance Center. After another thrilling night of racing, Northern Colorado is right in the mix, sitting in third place with 182 points, just 10 points behind first-place Northern Arizona.

In a borderline carbon copy of last night, the Bears found themselves in a nail-biter relay to open up Thursday evening. The 200 free relay came down to wire as Saana Liikonen hit the wall at 1:31.92, just .37 seconds behind Grand Canyon, setting up what would be another solid night for UNC.

.60 off a school record in the 200 free relay!!#BearsStrong #WACsd pic.twitter.com/pz1ieiWtTR
— UNCBears Swim & Dive (@UNC_BearsSwim) February 19, 2021

Anna Austin has been dominant in the distance events all season long. Though she didn't make the "A" final, Austin's 5:00.07 was a season-best for the junior.

That's a 5:00.07 for Anna Austin in the 500 free

Fastest time of the season 💪💪💪#BearsStrong #WACsd pic.twitter.com/f22BR9o0GS
— UNCBears Swim & Dive (@UNC_BearsSwim) February 19, 2021

Natalie Kayfes also made the "B" final in the 500 free, turning in a performance of 5:11.12.

The 200 IM proved to be one of the most exciting races of the weekend thus far. Entering the final 50 yards, both Paula Nunez Blazquez and Petra Kis were in the thick of things. Kis, who had trailed almost the entire race, nearly came back to steal the win as she touched the wall second with a 2:03.72 with Nunez Blazquez right behind her at 2:03.77. Both were season-bests.

Kis and Nunez Blazquez go 2-3 in the 200 IM

What a race !! #BearsStrong #WACsd pic.twitter.com/RwporMX9Gt
— UNCBears Swim & Dive (@UNC_BearsSwim) February 19, 2021

Nunez Blazquez becomes the Bears' third-best performer in the 200 IM in program history with her effort.

Junior Chloe Greiner qualified for the "C" final, dialing up a season-best time of 2:08.65.

As the bookends of the freestyle relays, Madelyn Moore and Saana Liikonen have been flexing their muscles in the sprints this year. Moore, the two-time swimmer of the week was not to be denied her WAC Championship in the 50 free, barreling toward the wall in 22.53, just .03 off a personal-best.

You cannot catch Madelyn Moore!!

That's a win in the 50 free with a 22.53 🥇#BearsStrong #WACsd pic.twitter.com/uhuKFBtqg0
— UNCBears Swim & Dive (@UNC_BearsSwim) February 19, 2021

Liikonen turned heads with her prelim time of 23.56. The freshman from Finland bettered her effort in the "A" final with a 23.39, her best time of the season and solidifying Saana as the third-best performer in Northern Colorado history in the event.
 
Fellow freshman Alison Jackson also gave her best effort of the season, setting a personal-best of 23.63 in "B" final and making her tied for fifth-best in UNC history. Also contributing a personal-best was sophomore AJ Popp, who touched the wall at 24.27.

DECK TALK
Lisa Ebeling, Head Coach
"Another great day of racing has kept us locked into a close met. We will have to be at our best and fight hard tomorrow to keep the momentum going. Our girls are tough this year, so I have no doubt they will keep the fire burning!"

WHAT'S AHEAD
Six races highlight an action-packed Friday night in St. George. The night kicks off with the 400 IM, followed by the 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back and capped off with the 400 medley relay.

To stay up to date on all things UNC Swim and Dive, visit UNCBears.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the new UNC Athletics app by clicking here.