Swimming Comes in Third at Swarthmore

SWARTHMORE, Pa. – The Juniata women's swimming team took third in the two-day meet at Swarthmore College this weekend. The Eagles made great strides forward, showing promise for what is yet to come this season.

"Our team swam very tough this weekend," head coach Nathan Smith said. "It's always a hard meet because there are so many events packed so close together, but it's also a great gauge of where we are."

Freshman Jocelyn Skelly (Hershey, Pa. / Hershey High School) won the 100-yard butterfly with a season best time of 1:00.7 and reached a lifetime best time in the 100-yard freestyle race.  Senior Tzvia Cahn (San Jose / Kehilia Jewish) placed third in the 100-yard freestyle with a season best time of 56.69. Cahn was followed by Elizabeth Hainsworth (Glade Spring / Patrick Henry) in 5^th place and Francesca Ferguson (Altoona, Pa. / Altoona Area HS) in 7^th. Ferguson also swam a lifetime best in the race.

Hainsworth won the 200-yard freestyle, performing a lifetime best time of 2:02.61 and was followed by Christine Whiteman (Delmont / Franklin Regional) in 4^th place. Hainsworth and Whiteman combined efforts with Ferguson and senior Sarah Rhodes (Bloomfield, N.Y. / Bloomfield Central) to place 5^th in the 800-yard freestyle relay. Sophomore Hannah Shumway (Slippery Rock, Pa. / Slippery Rock) also reached a lifetime best time at the meet, placing 8^th in the 200-yard backstroke.

"We had plenty of races this weekend that show we are progressing nicely," Smith said. "I am excited to have a block of time to concentrate on our training and see what we can do at the end of the year!"

The Eagles will compete again Jan. 9 at home to face Marywood and Susquehanna in Landmark competition.