BISMARCK, ND – What a difference three weeks make. After losing a one-sided decision to Augustana in the school’s first-ever meet, the University of Mary swimming team reversed its fortunes to defeat the Vikings 138-124 at home in the BSC Aquatic and Fitness Center. It is the first-ever win for the Marauders swim program.
Led by triple-winner Elizabeth Moriarty and double-winners Kate Murphy and Meghan Mokhtary, the Marauders captured eight of the 14 races against the Vikings. Augie won six events, including both relays. Also in their inaugural season, the Vikings beat the Marauders 189-65 on Oct. 7.
“This was a great win for us against a team that has been swimming very well this season,” said Allan McCallum, the Marauders head coach. “Across the board our whole team really competed well tonight. This was a total team effort for us with everyone playing a role in tonight’s victory.
“The past couple of weeks the team has really stepped up their intensity in practice. Our past couple meets have shown the hard work is paying off for us with some great swims.”
In her first individual race of the night, Murphy provided Mary its first win of the meet. The first of her two individual victories, the freshman from Jefferson City, MT, touched the wall first in the 200 yard free style and recorded a time of 1:58.56.
Murphy’s efforts started a run of four straight victories for the Marauders. Alyssa Boese nudged teammate Karyssa Nelson 28:97 to 29.05 in the 50 meter backstroke.
Mokhtary followed with her first win of the night, clocking a time of 32:46 in the 50 yard breaststroke. Moriarty finished the four-event run with a victory in the 100 yard butterfly, edging Augie’s Linzie Kreizel 59.97 to 1:00.20.
Moriarty picked up her second win of the night in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 55:61.
After an Augie win in the 100 yard backstroke, Mokhtary started another run for the Marauders. The freshman from Rice, MN, posted her second win of the night in a time of 1:10.71 to finish less than a second ahead of teammate Brittany Davis in the 100 yard breaststroke. Right behind was Murphy’s second win of the night, taking the 500 yard freestyle in 5:20.57.
Moriarty capped the Marauders winning night with a win in the 50 yard butterfly, registering a time of 27.16 in the win, her third of a busy night.
The victory was the Marauders first in four outings.
The Marauders next host a third straight home meet when the University of Sioux Falls, another program in its first year, visits on Saturday, Nov 5. The two-team meet is set for 11 am at the BSC Aquatic and Wellness Center.
Swimming news courtesy of University of Mary Swimming & Diving.
