Swim and Dive impresses at National Invitational Championship

Thursday, March 10

Elkhart, IN

University of Northern Colorado

College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America

Photo by: Juan DeLeon Creative

3/12/2022 10:48:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving

FINAL RESULTS

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

ELKHART, Ind. – Northern Colorado Swim and Dive pieced together inarguably its most successful season in the pool to date. The Bears wrapped up the 2021-22 campaign with an 11^th-place finish out of 42 schools at the National Invitational Championship.

Two of UNC's best relays kicked off an exciting weekend in Indiana on night one. Payten Irwin, Saana Liikonen, Ali Jackson and Madelyn Moore clocked a 1:31.31 in the 200 free relay to finish fifth and grab the second-fastest time in school history.

In the prelims, Doris Pusztay swam a sub-25 second 50 fly for the first time in her career.

Later on Thursday, Moore, Irwin and Liikonen were back in the blocks along with Bryanna Ungs in the 400 medley affair. With a 3:42.61, the Bears recorded the fourth-fastest time in program history and 11^th place.

Bryanna Ungs was fresh off her scintillating performance in the WAC Championships in the 50 breast. The freshman finished 18^th, hitting the wall at 29.07.

Adding more trophies to the Moore mantle, Maddy claimed two title-winning swimming on the first night of action. A 22.39 in the 50 free and a 24.77 in the 50 back gave the Sandys, Bermuda native to gold medals. Her 50 free time was also an NIC meet record.

Night two brought yet another stellar relay effort from head coach Lisa Ebeling's squad. Moore, Ungs, Katelyn Bergin and Liikonen turned in a 1:40.82, good enough for sixth place.

Irwin and Bergin duked it out in the 100 fly. The two were mere tenths of a second away from each other with Irwin claiming 14^th at 54.25 and Bergin grabbing 16^th with a 54.53.

Moore dialed in another podium-worth swim in the 100 back. A 53.74 gave Moore a bronze medal.

In the 800 free relay, Anna Austin, Giulia Pavanello, Paula Nunez Blazquez and Zoe Gawronska touched in at 7:37.19 for 21^st place.

Austin was back in the pool for the grueling 1,000 free. Her 10:32.39 grabbed the senior 18^th.

Bergin secured yet another top-20 finished in the 100 IM. With a 57.28, the Stockport, England native grabbed 17^th.

What's Ahead
That's a wrap on the 201-22 season for Northern Colorado Swim and Dive. The Bears will be back chasing a Western Athletic Conference title in Fall.

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.