2024 Eagle Invitational
- October 18-19, 2024
- Fort Myers, Florida
- SCY (25 yards)
- Results
Courtesy: FGCU Athletics
DAY 1 RECAP
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Libby Russum and Mia Burke swam top 50 free times in the 200 free relay and the 50 free for standout performances for Florida Gulf Coast University swimming and diving on Friday at the Eagle Invitational. Russum and Burke tied in the 50 free with a time of 23.52 and swam the fastest legs of the winning 200 free relay team (Burke, 22.90; Russum, 23.10).
After day one, FGCU leads the field with 324 points. Tampa is in second with 284 points, and Toledo is third with 210 points.
Izzy Ackley continues to dazzle in her first meets for the Eagles. Her time in the backstroke portion of the 400 medley relay (54.13) would have won the ASUN Championship in the event last year. Ackley missed out on winning the 50 free by 0.06 seconds to her teammates, Russum and Burke.
Over on the boards, Bailey Betzer and Rylie Darkatsh placed second and third, respectively, with scores of 253.90 and 240.90.
The Eagle Invitational continues on Saturday with two sessions. The morning session starts at 10 a.m. with the night session starting at 6 p.m. Admission to all FGCU swimming and diving meets are free.
DAY 2 RECAP
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Bailey Betzer came 1.95 points short of posting a zone qualifying score on the one-meter, Izzy Ackley set three new top 10 times and Cassie Bauer posted a top 10 time in the 100 IM as Florida Gulf Coast University swimming and diving placed first with 1,085 points at the Eagle Invitational.
“I’m very proud of how we competed this weekend,” head coach Dave Rollins said. “We’ve had a rocky start to the season with various weather-related events. However, we are thankful that all of our friends and family are safe, that we had the opportunity to compete, represent the Green and Blue and defend the nest this weekend. We have a lot of work to do, but the great news is, the team is ready. Our season is just getting started.”
Saturday’s action featured both a morning and night session. Divers competed on the one-meter board and in team diving on the day. Betzer finished first, two points short of her second zone qualifying score of her collegiate career by posting a score of 263.05. Betzer has been consistent all weekend, placing second on the three-meter on Friday. Bella Pfeil placed second with a score of 249.85.
Eagles swimming started the day by placing first in the 200 medley relay (1:41.27), Bauer won the 100 breast (1:03.94), Ackley won the 100 back (54.68) and Betzer won the one-meter (263.05). FGCU came back for the night session with Ackley winning the 100 IM (57.34) and 200 back (1:58.78), and Libby Russum took first in the 100 free (50.57).
The Green and Blue will compete again at the Phill Hansel Invitation in Houston from Nov 20-22. The midseason invite will be a key moment for the team to post times and scores to qualify for postseason competition.
