Swim and Dive finds momentum at First Chance Meet

Friday, February 11

Denver, CO

University of Northern Colorado

First Chance Meet

2/12/2022 4:16:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

DENVER, Colo. – Back in competition for the first time in more than two months, Northern Colorado Swim and Dive were eager to face some competition on the blocks. Across two days at the Denver First Chance meet, the Bears didn't disappoint, finishing second with 415.5 points ahead of the host Pioneers and Wyoming.

Friday began with five UNC athletes in the pool, including Kennedy Eichler who set the tone with a 4:41.74 in the 400 IM. Doris Pusztay and Paula Lomonaco kept it going with a 2-3 finish in the 200 free with times of 1:54.02 and 1:55.17, respectively.

Puszaty also joined the 23 club in the 50 free, touching in at 23.98.

Freshman Gracie Moreland fired off a second-place finish in the 100 back, hitting the wall at 58.25.

Meanwhile, Anna Austin claimed victory in the 200 fly with a 2:04.34.

More Bears joined the fray on day two in Denver but it was Pusztay who kept the momentum going with a 52.66 in the 100 free to open the day.

Chelaine van der Westhuizen (52.66) got back to her winning ways in the 200 breast with teammate Sunna Vilhjalmsdottir (2:21.72) placing third.

Austin is beginning to close in a sub-five-minute 500 free. On Saturday, Austin came home at 5:06.62.

With a little competition in the bank, Northern Colorado dominated the final two events of the afternoon.

Madelyn Moore (54.49) and Payten Irwin (56.28) went 1-2 in the 100 fly. Moments later, the Bears ended the meet in the best way possible as Katelyn Bergin (2:04.47), Pusztay (2:06.18) and Giulia Pavanello (2:07.97) swept the 200 IM.

DECK TALK
Assistant Coach, Brody Lewis
"There was a lot of energy and excitement on deck this weekend. Our girls that were rested and focused on this meet were swimming lifetime bests left and right. This created a lot of confidence for our conference roster athletes and a few of them popped off best times as well. It was a great way to start off our championship meet season. The team will look to continue this momentum and bring more fast swims to conference!"

What's next
All signs point to Houston and the WAC Championships. Northern Colorado will begin its quest for a WAC title on Wednesday, February 23.

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.