Swimming Ranked #4 In NAIA Poll
After a banner 2013-14 season, the Brenau swim team continues their outstanding run as the squad continues to accrue accolades into the 2014-2015 season.
In the recent NAIA Women's Swimming and Diving Coaches' Poll, Brenau was selected fourth by a national vote.
The Golden Tigers sit behind defending national champions Oklahoma Baptist University and SCAD-Savannah, who share the top spot in the inaugural poll of 2014, and third place Cumberlands (Ky.) University. Olivet Nazarene (III.) rounds out the top five.
Brenau comes off a strong third place showing at the SCAD Invitational, where the team finished close behind host SCAD-Savannah and hopes to build off that performance to make a charge at the National Championships.
"The team and I are thrilled with the news of a #4 ranking, it's well deserved," said head coach Blaire Bachman. "Our women continue to impress me with their work ethic and determination, and everyone is excited to see what's in store for nationals."
In addition to the strong early season ranking, Courtney Hayward was selected as the Appalachian Swimming Conference Swimmer of the Week.
Hayward had four top-two finishes at the SCAD Invitational. The sophomore from Australia opened the meet by winning the 1650 Freestyle in 17:02.72. She would go on to finish second in the 500 Free (5:03.88), second in the 200 Free (1:54.29, a new Brenau School Record), second in the 400 IM (4:33.71), and sixth in the 200 IM (2:12.58).
She swam on three Brenau relays splitting 1:56.10 on the 800 Freestyle Relay, 54.26 on the Freestyle leg of the 400 Medley Relay, and 53.89 on the 400 Freestyle Relay. Hayward currently ranks first in the NAIA in the 1650 Free and second in the 500 Free. In the ASC she currently ranks 18th in the 100 Free, 2nd in the 200 Free, 1st in the 500 Free, 1st in the 1000 Free, 1st in the 1650 Free, 6th in the 200 Butterfly, 4th in the 200 IM, and 1st in the 400 IM.