Swimming Shows Well at SCAD Invitational
On the final day of the SCAD Invitational, the Brenau swim team had a strong showing to finish third behind Wingate (N.C.) University and host SCAD-Savannah (Ga.).
The Golden Tigers amassed 1,349 points, which trailed SCAD-Savannah (1,632.50) and Wingate (2,109).
Courtney Hayward opened the day with a dominating win in the 1,650 freestyle. The sophomore outpaced the competition by 43 seconds with a blistering 17:02 finish. Hayward followed up with a second place finish in the 200 freestyle (1:54.29), second place in the 400 IM (4:33.71) and second place in the 500 yard freestyle (5:03.88).
In the 100 yard breaststroke, Michelle Billeaud (1:07.81) and Mary Katherine Jabbia (1:08.03) finished fourth and fifth respectively, while teammate Talia Sola placed second in the 100 yard backstroke (56.76). Billeaud also captured fourth place honors in the 100 butterfly (57.92).
The relay team of Sola, Jabbia, Billeaud and Hayward also placed third in the 400 yard medley in a 3:58.88, while the same group finished fourth in the 200 meter relay team in 1:49.27.
Sola also took second place in the 200 backstroke (2:02.08) while teammate Amanda Smith finished in fourth place in 2:13.68.
Shelby Rumker, Madison Kosater, Hayward and Billeaud ended the weekend with fourth place honors in the 400 freestyle relay (3:37.67).
"This is the first time in the program's history that 100% of the team has qualified to compete at nationals; it's a huge accomplishment," said head coach Blaire Bachman ." I'm very proud of our women as they delivered season best performances and personal best swims despite not being fully rested. Our winter break and weeks ahead will be focused on fundamentals and staying mentally fresh moving into championships season."
The Golden Tigers will take a break during the holidays, but will resume competition on January 17th when they host Converse (S.C.) College and Campbellsville (Ky.) University.