University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
WAC Championship (Swimming) Day 4
UNC grabs two gold medals on final day of swimming at WAC Championships
2/20/2021 8:34:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Head coach Lisa Ebeling couldn't have asked for a better effort from her athletes on the final night of swimming at the WAC Championships. The Bears grabbed gold in two races, including the 400 free relay finale, capping off a terrific season in the pool.
The night began with the grueling 1,650 free. Anna Austin, completing a valiant effort in the long-distance events this season, crushed her personal-best with a time of 17:08.53 and sliding in fourth place.
Natalie Kayfes and Paula Lomonaco also braved the mile. Kayfes clocked in at 17:45.38, while Lomonaco touched the wall at 17:59.23.
Paula Nunez Blazquez was the only Bear to make the "A" final in the 200 back, clocking in at 2:03.71.
Paula Nunez Blazquez with a 2:03.71 in the A final of the 200 back#BearsStrong pic.twitter.com/UnPGkG6Kmq
— UNCBears Swim & Dive (@UNC_BearsSwim) February 21, 2021
It was in the "B" final, though where sophomore AJ Popp dialed up her best effort of the season with a 2:01.30. Katelyn Bergin also impressed with a solid 2:04.43.
If Madelyn Moore was headed home Sunday, she was going to go all out in the pool on Saturday. Chasing her own record in the 100 free, Moore narrowly missed by just .03 seconds but hit the wall first at 49.35, grabbing her second individual gold of the championships and hitting another NCAA B cut time.
Madelyn Moore can't stop winning!! That's a pool record and NCAA B cut time of 49.35!! 🥇🥇🥇#BearsStrong #WACsd pic.twitter.com/QwXl08Q9Zp
— UNCBears Swim & Dive (@UNC_BearsSwim) February 21, 2021
Freshman Saana Liikonen swam yet another season-best in the "B" final, coming in at 51.78.
Saana Liikonen with a big effort in the B final of the 100 free#BearsStrong pic.twitter.com/ufOKMctJ0V
— UNCBears Swim & Dive (@UNC_BearsSwim) February 21, 2021
Rounding out her freshman campaign, Chelaine van de Westhuizen cruised to a win in the 200 breast "B" final with a time of 2:20.24, her fastest time this season.
That's a B final win and the fastest time of the year for freshman Chelain van de Westhuizen!#BearsStrong #WACsd pic.twitter.com/X8Zhgs1vSt
— UNCBears Swim & Dive (@UNC_BearsSwim) February 21, 2021
Senior Petra Kis hit the wall right behind the South African at 2:20.38.
Both Anna Austin and Payten Irwin grabbed spots in the "A" final in the 200 fly with efficient swims this morning. Irwin and Austin each challenged the two NAU swimmers out front. Irwin tied Maddy Rey of Northern Arizona at 2:03.05 to become the fifth fastest UNC swimmer in the race.
How bout that from the freshman! Payten Irwin ties for second with a 2:03.05.
— UNCBears Swim & Dive (@UNC_BearsSwim) February 21, 2021
Anna Austin right behind in third with a 2:05.50! #BearsStrong #WACsd pic.twitter.com/DVTo9VSa4o
Austin touched the wall in a personal best 2:03.50, sliding up to seventh-best in program history.
The night, and the meet, came to a dramatic conclusion with the 400 free relay. Ali Jackson, Saana Liikonen, Petra Kis and Madelyn Moore were the four Ebeling sent out for the Bears' final race of the meet.
Northern Colorado was in third when Moore hit the water for the anchor leg. If anyone in the Human Performance Center thought Moore wouldn't run New Mexico State and Grand Canyon down, they proved to be dead wrong. Moore came home in 48.49 and solidified a second gold medal for the Bears.
What. A. Relay.
— UNCBears Swim & Dive (@UNC_BearsSwim) February 21, 2021
We cap the swimming championships off with a gold medal in the 400 free relay!! #BearsStrong #WACsd pic.twitter.com/IHe34YmwFv
DECK TALK
Head Coach, Lisa Ebeling
"I couldn't be more proud of our team performances this week. Our girls have been through a lot this year and they showed incredible resilience to get to this point. We are walking away with 39 lifetime best times, 28 top-10 all-time performances, a school record, 23 top-16 performances, 17 top-8 performances, two bronze medals, four silver medals and four gold medals.
"This was truly a team effort and the relay at the end was pure heart and soul. I am so excited for the future of this program!"
WHAT'S AHEAD.
UNC sits in third place with 497.5 points as attention shifts to the diving portion of the championships next week in Flagstaff, Arizona. The first day of competition is set for Thursday, February 25.
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.
Players Mentioned
