Loyola Marymount vs Westmont (Women)
- January 27, 2024
- Los Angeles, Calif.
- SCY (25 yards)
- Results
Courtesy: LMU Athletics
LOS ANGELES – The LMU Women’s Swim Team, who on Tuesday night learned that their program was one of six being cut by the university, rallied in front of a standing room only crowd to dominate their final dual meet of the season against conference rival Westmont, winning by a margin of 196-66.
Prior to the start of the competition, the 28 women on the team were introduced to a cheering crowd, led by their four seniors: Bebe Choroser, Anna Doherty, Maddie Nguyen and Abby Shaw.
Courtesy: Westmont Athletics
(LOS ANGELES) Westmont Swim headed to Los Angeles and the campus of Loyola Marymount on Saturday for the last dual meet of the year.
“We had a good meet today,” said Westmont’s head coach Jill Lin. “It was a very emotional day as Loyola found out on Wednesday that their program was being cut at the end of the season. It was also their senior day today.
“We felt honored to be there as the Lions closed out their program. There were a ton of fans in the stands and it was a really special environment to be a part of.
“We are devastated for LMU Swim and feel exceedingly more grateful that we have the support from our department and school to keep building and growing our program,” reflected Lin.
While the NCAA Division I Lions defeated Westmont 196-66, the Warrior swimmers produced some memorable performances.
“We had some good swims and a lot of people rising up and being really gritty,” noted Lin. “Allison McDougal started out with a gutsy 1650 yard freestyle. She had a neck-and-neck race the entire time and blasted a 32.7 on her last 50 to out touch the Lion next to her. About 15 minutes later she stepped up and raced the 200 yard butterfly and although extremely exhausted pulled out a great race.”
McDougal finished fifth in the 1650, with a time of 19:35.25. In fourth was Grace McAnear (19:16.19) while Olivia Garrison placed third in a time of 18:52.85.
“Another highlight was Ella Chaisson’s double victories in the 100 yard breaststroke and the 200 yard individual medley,” reported Lin. “Being injured and unable to swim breaststroke for much of the season has been challenging for Ella, but having her back in those events today was really exciting to see.”
Chaisson won the breaststroke in a time of 1:09.40, out touching LMU’s Lydia Hawthorne by just over half a second. Abby Rickard finished fourth with a time of 1:13.29 and Kelly Neill (1:15.76) was fifth.
In the 200 yard individual medley, Chaisson posted nearly a five second victory over LMU’s Adele Kopis. Rickard (2:24.86) took fifth.
“Hannah DeSoto had some great races and lifetime best times in both the 100 yard and 200 yard backstrokes,” pointed out Lin.
DeSoto finished the 100 yard race in a time of 1:05.67 to take seventh. Katlyn McCurtain claimed fifth place with a time of 1:05.67. In the 200 yard event, McCurtin took fourth with a time of 2:18.84 and DeSoto was sixth, finishing in 2:21.55.
Willow Pazone and McKenzie Rion were the top Warrior finishers in the 200 yard freestyle, taking fourth and fifth place, respectively, and finishing within 0.11 seconds of each other (2:04.02 and 2:04.13).
“Overall it was a good last dual meet,” assessed Lin. “Still lots to work on before conference but a good start.”
The Warriors will participate in the UC Santa Barbara Invitational on Friday and Saturday, February 2-3, before heading off to the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference Championship at East Los Angeles College. The four-day championship event will be held Wednesday, February 14 through Saturday, February 17.
