SOUTHERN ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (SAA) – MEN AND WOMEN
- Dates: Wednesday, February 12-Saturday, February 15, 2020
- Location: Crossplex Aquatic Center – Birmingham, AL
- Host: Rhodes
- Defending Champion: Birmingham Southern women (3x); Birmingham Southern men (5x)
- Results
Courtesy: Southern Athletic Association
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Feb. 13, 2020) – Led by its depth, Birmingham-Southern sits with leads in both the men and women’s 2020 Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Swimming and Diving Championships.
On the women’s side, the Panthers lead with 315 points. Centre, who had a great second day, has 283 points while Rhodes is third at 248. Berry (222.5), Sewanee (210), Hendrix (115.5), and Millsaps (24) close out the scoring.
In the men’s competition, BSC also leads with 343 points. Centre is second with a 281 total while Berry sits in third at 240. Rhodes is fourth with 174 points while Sewanee is just behind in fifth at 163. Finally, Hendrix (143), and Millsaps (53), wrap up standings.
In women’s diving, Noel Whitlock of Sewanee won the event with a 383.65 total. That edged out teammate Paisley Simmons. In the women’s 500 Free, Brooke Boyd of Berry won the event by five seconds while on the men’s side, Joe Swing, a freshman from BSC, touched the wall in 4:35.52 to take his first-ever individual conference championship.
In the next race, Becca Erwin of Birmingham-Southern dominated the women’s 200 IM. The Panther senior posted a new open and conference championship record with a time of 2:02.60. That was also an NCAA Invit time. Sophomore Max Shoyat of Centre won the men’s 200 IM in 1:52.51.
After being part of a number winning relays teams, Madi Griffin of Rhodes won her first individual event at this year’s championships by posting a winning time of 23.82 seconds in the quick 50 Free. Michael Bemis of Berry won the men’s 50 Free in a close race. Bemis edged Paxton Higgerson of Hendrix by .04 seconds with a winning mark of 20.94 seconds.
Finally, the Centre team of Elise Burch, Peyton Patel, Chloe Grove, and Audrey Becker won the women’s 200 Free Relay with an NCAA Invit time of 1:35.84. In the men’s 200 Free Relay, Garrett Yarbrough, Ryan Emili, Connor McClain, and Sheridan Harder of Birmingham-Southern won with a time of 1:23.94.
Day three is scheduled to begin with prelims Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. (CST).
