Columbia’s Karen Liu Posts 1:58 200 FL/2:16 200 BR as Lions Women Top Penn 177-123

COLUMBIA vs PENN (WOMEN’S DUAL)

• Friday, November 4, 2022
• Sheerr Pool, Philadelphia, PA
• SCY (25 yards)
• Results

TEAM SCORES

1. Columbia – 177
2. Penn – 123

Penn hosted Ivy League opponent Columbia for a women’s dual on Friday, November 4, kicking off both teams’ 2022-2023 seasons. Columbia emerged victorious in a 177-123 decision.

The Lions had a couple key events that helped boost them into a sizable lead. The first of which was the 50 free, Columbia earned a 1-2-3 finish. Emily MacDonald led the charge, swimming a 23.51. She was followed closely by Sally Ma (23.71), and Isabelle Arevalo (24.02).

Columbia also went 1-2-3 in the 200 back, where Aziza Ginihanova posted a 2:02.48. Lions Lindsay Orringer (2:03.84) and Riley Pujadas (2:05.41) were next in. Between the 50 free and 200 back, Columbia outscored Penn 32-6.

The teams split the relays, with Columbia taking the 200 medley and Penn the 400 free. In the 200 medley relay, Grace Zhou (26.62), Ashley Hu (29.66), Emily MacDonald (25.12), and Sally Ma (23.39) combined for a 1:44.79.

The Penn squad of Abigail Wickersham (52.48), Anna Moehn (52.27), Amber Smith (51.45), and Margot Kaczorowski (50.91) teamed up for a 3:27.11.

From that Columbia 200 medley relay, Grace Zhou, Ashley Hu, and Emily MacDonald went on to win individual events. Zhou won the 100 back in 56.68, pulling away from the field on the second half to touch first by nearly a second. Hu would win the 100 breast, getting out to an early lead then expanding that lead through the back half of the race. She swam a 1:04.40, finishing first by 1.17 seconds.

MacDonald, of course, won the 50 free. She also took the 100 free, swimming a 51.88. She used her speed to get out to a lead, splitting 24.87 on the opening 50.

Penn’s Vanessa Chong was a two-event winner on the day, first winning the 100 fly in 55.74. She won a tight race over teammate Amber Smith, who touched 0.02 seconds behind her. Chong would then go on to win the 200 IM, swimming a 2:05.92. Incredibly, Chong also won this race by 0.02 seconds, this time over Columbia’s Julia Unas (2:05.94). Chong got out to a big early lead, and managed to hold on for the win after Unas pulled even with her on breaststroke.

Columbia’s Karen Liu had a great race in the 200 fly, speeding to a 1:58.87. Her splits aren’t available, but Liu was the only swimmer in the field to touch under 2:00. Liu also would go on to win the 200 breast, swimming a 2:16.85.

Penn’s Anna Sofia Kalandadze won the 1000 free in 10:03.22, holding off teammate Catherine Buroker (10:04.97). Kalandadze then won the 500 free, swimming a 4:55.90.