LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty swimming & diving team will aim for its second conference title, and first since 2014, at the 2016 Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Swimming & Diving Championships, held Wednesday through Saturday at Georgia’s Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Ga.
For the third year in a row, the CCSA meet will follow a four-day format. On Wednesday evening at 6 p.m., finals of the 200 medley relay and 800 freestyle relay will be held. Individual events will begin on Thursday morning with preliminary heats at 10 a.m.
How to Follow the Lady Flames
Live results will be available for all events at the 2016 CCSA Swimming & Diving Championships. Also, live video streaming will be available, for a small charge, through TheCCSA.com. LibertyFlames.com will also provide extensive coverage through an interactive CoveritLive blog each session. Fans can receive Twitter updates by following @LibertyFlames and @LUGameday.
The CCSA, which now also sponsors beach volleyball, is comprised of 11 teams for women’s swimming & diving and eight men’s swimming & diving teams.
Lady Flames Receive 20 Members on CCSA All-Academic Team
The Lady Flames placed 20 members on the 2016 CCSA All-Academic Team, as announced today. The CCSA All-Academic Team honor goes to those student-athletes who maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher through the 2015-16 academic year.
Liberty’s All-Academic recipients are: Natalie Beale, Shelby Black, Danielle Boothe, Anna Dickinson, Alicia Finnigan, Courtney Fox, Ranndi Grubbs, Rachel Hoeve, Kendall Hough, Madi Long, Elizabeth Magnusson, Ashley Mauzy, Morgan Noonan, Siani Null, Chelsea Pond, Rachel Rippey, Prudence Rooker, Victoria Tschoke, Kristin VanDeventer and Morgan Weigner.
In 2015, Florida Gulf Coast reclaimed its women’s title, scoring 1,575 points to win its sixth championship in the last seven years. Liberty followed up its 2014 team title with a runner-up finish, its third second-place showing in the last four years. The 2015 Lady Flames scored 1,239 points. Judging from the CCSA top times lists this season, it appears that FGCU and Liberty will battle it out for first place once again.
A total of seven current Lady Flames competed on the 2014 CCSA Championship team, six of whom have scored at least one top-eight conference finish during their careers.
For the 2015 CCSA Championships as a whole, Liberty registered 11 podium finishes (six individual, five relay), six program records and seven NCAA B cuts.
The Lady Flames’ current roster features three past CCSA medalists, in Kendall Hough, Hannah Wakeley and Kristin VanDeventer.
Hough earned three podium finishes at the 2015 CCSA Championships, placing second in the 100 back, and third in both the 50 free and 100 free. In the process, she became the fourth Lady Flame all-time to earn top-three finishes in three separate events at the same CCSA Championships. Additionally, she swam NCAA B cut times in both the 50 free (22.92) and 100 back (53.98).
Wakeley claimed the first two podium finishes of her career at the 2015 CCSA Championships. She set a new program record in the 1,650 free (16:45.43), placing third, while also setting the 1,000 free record in 10:06.55 on the way out. Wakeley completed a challenging double, taking second place in the 200 fly (2:00.05) on the same day as her mile swim.
VanDeventer placed third in the 1,650 free at the 2014 CCSA meet, before posting top-eight finishes in the 200 free (8th), 500 free (5th) and 1,650 free (5th) last year.
A total of 13 returnees scored points at the 2015 CCSA Championships. Among Liberty’s returnees, Natalie Beale (100 fly, 200 back), Sarah Browning (1,650 free), Rachel Hoeve (50 free), Hough (50 free, 100 free, 100 back), Prudence Rooker (100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, 200 IM), Victoria Tschoke (100 back, 200 back, 200 IM), VanDeventer (200 free, 500 free, 1,650 free) and Wakeley (500 free, 1,650 free, 200 fly) all posted top-eight finishes last season. Additionally, Ranndi Grubbs and Morgan Noonan have recorded top-eight placings during their careers.
Liberty went 8-5 in dual meets this season, including 5-1 against CCSA opponents. The team posted a win over a Big 12 opponent for the first time in program history, defeating TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 9.
Three Lady Flames have earned CCSA weekly honors at some point this season, in divers Brooke Fox and Courtney Fox and swimmer Hough.
The Lady Flames have received national recognition this season. Liberty earned its highest national rankings to date, listed 26th in the CollegeSwimming.com Team Rankings and No. 4 in the CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major Rankings on Oct. 6.
Five relays will be contested at the meet, as Florida Gulf Coast and Liberty took first and second, in that order, in all five relays at the 2015 CCSA Championships. FGCU set meet and conference records in four out of five relay races last year.
2015-16 Lady Flames’ CCSA Honors
Brooke Fox – CCSA Women’s Diver of the Week (Oct. 6; Oct. 13)
Courtney Fox – CCSA Women’s Diver of the Week (Oct. 20)
Kendall Hough – CCSA Women’s Swimmer of the Week (Oct. 20)
Current Lady Flames with Program Records
1,000 Free – Hannah Wakeley (10:06.55; 2/21/15)
1,650 Free – Hannah Wakeley (16:45.43; 2/21/15)
50 Back – Kendall Hough (24.97 – L; 2/18/15)
100 Back – Kendall Hough (53.98; 2/20/15)
1-Meter Diving – Brooke Fox (236.93; 10/9/15)
3-Meter Diving – Courtney Fox (222.25; 10/17/15)
As was the case last year, many records and lifetime-best times should be expected, as the team has aimed to peak at the conference championships.
An event-by-event preview of individual events follows. Please note that the entries listed are those which appear on the pre-scratch psych sheet, and are subject to change.
2016 CCSA Championships
February 17-20
Gabrielsen Natatorium
Athens, Ga.
Schedule of Events
Day 1 – Finals (6 p.m.)
200-yard Medley Relay “B” & “A”
Three-meter Diving (Women)
800-yard Freestyle Relay “B” & “A”
Day 2 – Trials (10 a.m.)
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
20-minute intermission
200-yard Freestyle Relay “B”
Day 2 – Finals (6 p.m.)
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
200-yard Freestyle Relay “A”
Day 3 – Trials (10 a.m.)
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
100-yard Breaststroke
100-yard Backstroke
20-minute intermission
400-yard Medley Relay “B”
One-meter Diving (1 p.m. Women)
Day 3 – Finals (6 p.m.)
400-yard Individual Medley
100-yard Butterfly
200-yard Freestyle
100-yard Breaststroke
100-yard Backstroke
One-meter Diving (Women)
400-yard Medley Relay “A”
Day 4 – Trials (10 a.m.)
200-yard Backstroke
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Breaststroke
200-yard Butterfly
20-minute intermission
400-yard Freestyle Relay “B”
1,650-yard Freestyle-All but last heat of time finals
Day 4 – Finals (6 p.m.)
1,650-yard Freestyle-Last heat of time finals
200-yard Backstroke
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Breaststroke
200-yard Butterfly
400-yard Freestyle Relay “A”
Scoring
For the second consecutive year, there will be three scored finals (A, B & C) of each individual event at the women’s CCSA Championship, with 24 individuals scoring.
Individual events will be scored as follows: 32-28-27-26-25-24-23-22-20-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Relay events will be scored as follows: 64-56-54-52-50-48-46-44-40-34-32-30-28-26-24-22-18-14-12-10-8-6-4-2
Day 1 – Feb. 17, 2016
3-Meter Diving
Defending Champion: Kali Lents (Incarnate Word) – 304.60
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Kimberly Foster (Incarnate Word) (3rd place)
Championship Meet Record: Maegan Butler (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/23/13 – 314.75
Conference Record: Emily Eisenhower (North Florida), 11/6/07 – 366.55
2015-16 Leader: Emma Weisel (Georgia Southern) – 290.32
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty’s Top Entry: Courtney Fox – 222.25 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Courtney Fox, Brooke Fox, Madi Long
Outlook: Defending champion Kali Lents of Incarnate Word has graduated, along with runner-up Cayla Collins (FGCU). UIW’s Kimberly Foster placed third at the conference meet each of the last two years, and she is seeded third, at 247.05. Emma Weisel of Georgia Southern, who placed third as a freshman in 2013, is the top seed, at 290.32, while FGCU’s Ashley Wright (276.75) is second. Liberty has two divers in the top eight, in sisters Courtney Fox (6th, program-record 222.25) and Brooke Fox (8th – 212.10). The Lady Flames’ Madi Long competed in the 2015 CCSA meet, and is ranked 10th at 182.85.
Day 2 – Feb. 18, 2016
500-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Lani Cabrera (Florida Gulf Coast) – 4:51.50
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Cabrera (Florida Gulf Coast) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Leah Daniel (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/17/2011 – 4:48.22
Conference Record: Lani Cabrera (Florida Gulf Coast), 11/19/2015 – 4:47.43
2015-16 Leader: Lani Cabrera (Florida Gulf Coast) – 4:47.43
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Kristin VanDeventer – 5:01.14 (8th)
Liberty Entrants: Kristin VanDeventer, Alicia Finnigan, Ashlee Sall, Hannah Wakeley, Dani Jordan, Elizabeth Magnusson
Outlook: Defending champion Lani Cabrera of Florida Gulf Coast returns as the favorite to win this year’s crown, setting a CCSA record by swimming 4:47.43, Nov. 19. Seven CCSA swimmers have broken the 5:00 mark this season, with FGCU holding the top three times (Cabrera, Linda Shaw – 4:49.88, Melissa Marinheiro – 4:52.02). Last year’s third-place finisher, Lauren Oglesby of Gardner-Webb, has the eighth seed at 5:00.07. Liberty’s Kristin VanDeventer, who finished fourth in 2014 and fifth last year, has swum 5:01.14 this season. Lady Flame Hannah Wakeley returns after taking seventh place in 4:55.66 last season. Kylee Parsons of Georgia Southern, the 2013 runner-up as a freshman, is rated seventh this year, at 4:58.80.
200-yard Individual Medley
Defending Champion: Alona Kyselova (Incarnate Word) – 2:00.28
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Kyselova (Incarnate Word) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Alona Kyselova (Incarnate Word), 2/19/15 – 2:00.28
Conference Record: Alona Kyselova (Incarnate Word), 2/19/15 – 2:00.28
2015-16 Leader: Barbara Caraballo (Florida Gulf Coast) – 2:00.53
Liberty Event Titles (Last): One (Emilie Kaufman – 2014)
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Prudence Rooker – 2:05.34 (8th)
Liberty Entrants: Prudence Rooker, Victoria Tschoke, Morgan Noonan, Anna Dickinson, Ranndi Grubbs, Morgan Weigner
Outlook: Incarnate Word sophomore Alona Kyselova returns as the defending champion, after winning in conference, meet-record and NCAA B cut time of 2:00.28 in 2015. FGCU’s Barbara Caraballo leads the CCSA with an NCAA B cut time 2:00.53 this season, while her teammates Katie Armitage (2:01.94) and Christina Kaas Elmgreen (2:03.07) follow in second and third, respectively, ahead of Kyselova (2:03.55). All eight of last year’s 200 IM A finalists are back this season. Prudence Rooker of Liberty, last year’s sixth-place finisher, is seeded eighth at 2:05.34, while teammate Victoria Tschoke will be a contender after placing fourth in 2:02.56 at the 2015 meet. Ranndi Grubbs finished sixth in the 200 IM in 2014, the same year that current FGCU swimmer Samantha Rahael took third.
50-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast) – 21.98
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Kendall Hough (Liberty) (3rd place)
Championship Meet Record: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/19/2015 – 21.98
Conference Record: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/19/2015 – 21.98
2015-16 Leader: Katie Latham (Florida Gulf Coast) – 22.32
Liberty Event Titles (Last): One (Brye Ravettine – 2012)
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Kendall Hough – 23.55 (5th)
Liberty Entrants: Kendall Hough, Rachel Hoeve, Chelsea Pond, Danielle Boothe, Ricki Lee Hodges, Shelby Black, Siani Null
Outlook: Emma Svensson of Florida Gulf Coast won the last three 50 free finals in a row, culminating in a conference, meet-record and NCAA B cut 21.98 at last year’s championship meet. FGCU freshman Katie Latham has swum the fastest 50 free in the conference this season, a B-cut 22.32. The Eagles have the top four times entering the CCSA meet, including Kristen Julien (23.09), Sara Hamilton (23.29) and Kirsten Jamison (23.52). Liberty’s Kendall Hough, who placed third in 22.93 last season, is ranked fifth this year, at 23.55. Hough and teammate Rachel Hoeve, who finished eighth at the 2015 CCSA meet, are the only two A Finals qualifiers from 2015 who return to the field.
Day 3 – Feb. 19, 2016
400-yard Individual Medley
Defending Champion: Alona Kyselova (Incarnate Word) – 4:13.15
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Kyselova (Incarnate Word) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Alona Kyselova (Incarnate Word), 2/20/2015 – 4:13.15
Conference Record: Alona Kyselova (Incarnate Word), 2/20/2015 – 4:13.15
2015-16 Leader: London Schumacher (Incarnate Word) – 4:21.07
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrant: None
Outlook: Incarnate Word’s Alona Kyselova swept the 200 IM and 400 IM last season, the third swimmer in conference history to do so at the CCSA Championships. Last year, she won in a conference, meet-record and NCAA B cut 4:13.15. Kyselova will attempt to be the first CCSA swimmer ever to win multiple 400 IM conference titles. London Schumacher of UIW is ranked first in the CCSA this year, at 4:21.07, after placing third in 2015. FGCU’s Sommer Harris and Samantha Rahael return after placing seventh and eighth, respectively, last year.
100-yard Butterfly
Defending Champion: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast) – 53.22
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Giorgie Graves (Gardner-Webb) (2nd place)
Championship Meet Record: Jess Reinhardt (Liberty), 2/21/14 – 52.14
Conference Record: Jess Reinhardt (Liberty), 3/21/14 – 51.72
2015-16 Leader: Yee Ching Wong (Florida Gulf Coast) – 54.65
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (all in a row) (Jess Reinhardt – 2014)
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Alicia Finnigan – 56.66 (8th)
Liberty Entrants: Alicia Finnigan, Ranndi Grubbs, Natalie Beale, Ashley Mauzy
Outlook: Emma Svensson of Florida Gulf Coast won the 100 fly in 53.22 at the 2015 CCSA Championships, ending Liberty’s three-year run of 100 fly victories. FGCU’s Yee Ching Wong has the CCSA’s fastest time this season, at 54.65, after placing third last year. Florida Gulf Coast has the top four times this year, as Wong, Christina Kaas Elmgreen (55.53) and Nicole Oppel (55.63) are the only CCSA swimmers to break 56 this season. Gardner-Webb’s Giorgie Graves returns after a runner-up finish in 2015 and a third-place showing in 2014. Alicia Finnigan is Liberty’s top seed, at eighth with a time of 56.66. Natalie Beale placed seventh at last year’s league meet in 55.94. Ranndi Grubbs qualified for the A final in 2014, placing eighth.
200-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Lani Cabrera (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:49.93
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Cabrera (Florida Gulf Coast) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Kira Toussaint (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/21/2014 – 1:47.02
Conference Record: Kira Toussaint (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/21/2014 – 1:47.02
2015-16 Leader: Elise Haan (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:47.25
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Ashlee Sall – 1:53.70 (19th)
Liberty Entrants: Ashlee Sall, Kristin VanDeventer, Natalie Beale, Elizabeth Magnusson, Shelby Black, Chelsea Pond, Siani Null, Dani Jordan
Outlook: Lani Cabrera of FGCU is the defending champion at 200 free, winning in 1:49.93. Her teammate Elise Haan has the top time this season, with an NCAA B cut 1:47.25, while FGCU’s Linda Shaw (1:48.63) is second and Cabrera (1:49.03) is third. FGCU has the conference’s top six times this season. Georgia Southern’s Kylee Parsons tied for third in 2013 before taking second last year. Sara Hamilton of FGCU placed third a year ago. Liberty’s Kristin VanDeventer took eighth place at the 2015 CCSA Championships, and is ranked 20th this year in 1:53.81. Last year’s 12th-place finisher, Ashlee Sall, has a seed time of 1:53.70 this year (19th).
100-yard Breaststroke
Defending Champion: Katie Armitage (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:00.28
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Armitage (Florida Gulf Coast) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Emilie Kaufman (Liberty), 2/21/14 – 1:00.01
Conference Record: Emilie Kaufman (Liberty), 2/21/14 – 1:00.01
2015-16 Leader: Katie Armitage (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:01.27
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (in a row) (Emilie Kaufman – 2014)
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Prudence Rooker – 1:04.83 (10th)
Liberty Entrants: Prudence Rooker, Anna Dickinson, Morgan Noonan, Ricki Lee Hodges, Morgan Weigner
Outlook: The 100 breaststroke and 400 IM are the two events that have had eight different champions in the history of the CCSA Championships. Florida Gulf Coast’s Katie Armitage will look to change that, as she won in an NCAA B cut time of 1:00.28 last season. She should be the heavy favorite this year, with the fastest time by over a second and a half, at 1:01.27. Teammate Evita Leter, last year’s third-place finisher, is ranked second at 1:03.05. Lili Toth of Gardner-Webb is seeded third at 1:03.61 after placing fifth last year. Six out of last year’s A finalists return, including Liberty’s Prudence Rooker, who finished fourth in 1:02.55 in 2015.
100-yard Backstroke
Defending Champion: Kira Toussaint (Florida Gulf Coast) – 52.82
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Kendall Hough (Liberty) (2nd place)
Championship Meet Record: Kira Toussaint (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/21/14 – 51.68
Conference Record: Kira Toussaint (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/21/14 – 51.68
2015-16 Leader: Elise Haan (Florida Gulf Coast) – 52.32
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Kendall Hough – 56.61 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Kendall Hough, Victoria Tschoke, Rachel Hoeve, Danielle Boothe, Ashley Mauzy
Outlook: Two-time NCAA top-eight finisher and CCSA champion Kira Toussaint has transferred from FGCU to Tennessee. FGCU freshman Elise Haan is the favorite, with her B cut time of 52.32 nearly two seconds faster than teammate Sandra Wilk (B cut 54.18). Wilk, last year’s third-place finisher, was runner-up at the 2014 CCSA meet. Katie Latham of FGCU has also met the B standard, at 54.57. Kendall Hough of Liberty is the top returnee from last year’s meet, after placing second in a program-record 53.98. Hough also finished third in 2014. She is seeded sixth this year at 56.61. Teammate Victoria Tschoke finished fourth in B cut time 54.89 in 2015, and has the eighth seed at 56.77. Liberty’s Natalie Beale took ninth place a year ago.
1-Meter Diving
Defending Champion: Kali Lents (Incarnate Word) – 291.05
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Mallory Draper (Incarnate Word) (3rd place)
Championship Meet Record: Kali Lents (Incarnate Word), 2/20/14 – 292.70
Conference Record: Kali Lents (Incarnate Word), 11/7/2014 – 313.85
2015-16 Leader: Ashley Wright (Florida Gulf Coast) – 280.20
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty’s Top Entry: Brooke Fox – 236.93 (5th)
Liberty Entrants: Brooke Fox, Courtney Fox, Madi Long
Outlook: Two-time champion and conference record holder Kali Lents has graduated, leaving her Incarnate Word teammate Mallory Draper, last year’s third-place finisher, as the top returnee. Draper is ranked second in the CCSA this season at 263.00, after Ashley Wright of FGCU (272.33). Kim Foster of Incarnate Word, the 2014 third-place finisher, is ranked third this season, at 262.40. Liberty’s Brooke Fox, two-time CCSA Diver of the Week, is rated fifth with a program-record 236.93, while her sister, Courtney Fox, is sixth at 231.74. Lady Flame Madi Long returns to the CCSA meet as the ninth seed (188.50).
Day 4 – Feb. 20, 2016
1,650-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Lauren Oglesby (Gardner-Webb) – 16:20.60
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Oglesby (Gardner-Webb) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Lauren Oglesby (Gardner-Webb), 2/21/2015 – 16:20.60
Conference Record: Lauren Oglesby (Gardner-Webb), 2/21/2015 – 16:20.60
2015-16 Leader: Lani Cabrera (Florida Gulf Coast) – 16:35.50
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Kristin VanDeventer – 16:54.95 (3rd)
Liberty Entrants: Kristin VanDeventer, Hannah Wakeley, Dani Jordan, Ashlee Sall
Outlook: Each of the top eight finishers from last year’s 1,650 free returns, as Lauren Oglesby of Gardner-Webb won in conference and meet-record 16:20.60 as a freshman in 2015. Oglesby has swum the second fastest 1,650 in the CCSA this season (16:46.40), after 2015 fourth-place finisher Lani Cabrera of FGCU (16:35.50). Last year’s runner-up, Alona Kyselova of Incarnate Word, is ranked eighth at 17:17.44. Liberty’s Kristin VanDeventer is ranked third at 16:54.95 after placing fifth in 2015. Hannah Wakeley took third last year in program-record 16:45.43, and she is ranked eighth this year. Sarah Browning returns after a sixth-place finish last season. A total of seven current CCSA swimmers has appeared on the podium in the 1,650 free at some point in their career.
200-yard Backstroke
Defending Champion: Kira Toussaint (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:55.31
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Victoria Tschoke (Liberty) (4th place)
Championship Meet Record: Kira Toussaint (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/22/14 – 1:54.52
Conference Record: Kira Toussaint (Florida Gulf Coast), 3/22/14 – 1:53.72
2015-16 Leader: Elise Haan (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:56.43
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Victoria Tschoke – 2:02.81 (5th)
Liberty Entrants: Victoria Tschoke, Natalie Beale, Ashley Mauzy
Outlook: With the transfer of two-time CCSA 200 back winner Kira Toussaint from FGCU and the graduation of the second and third-place finishers, this year’s top three will be entirely different. In fact, this is the only event in which no current CCSA swimmer has made the podium during their career. Liberty’s Victoria Tschoke placed fourth last year, and she is seeded fifth this year, at 2:02.81. FGCU has the top four seeds, led by Elise Haan (B cut 1:56.43). Barbara Caraballo (2:00.50) and Sandra Wilk (2:00.52) of FGCU have the second and third fastest times. Natalie Beale of Liberty finished seventh last season. Five out of last year’s A finalists return this season.
100-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast) – 48.59
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Sara Hamilton (Florida Gulf Coast) (2nd place)
Championship Meet Record: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/21/2015 – 48.59
Conference Record: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/21/2015 – 48.59
2015-16 Leader: Elise Haan (Florida Gulf Coast) – 49.82
Liberty Event Titles (Last): One (Brye Ravettine – 2012)
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Kendall Hough – 51.79 (11th)
Liberty Entrants: Kendall Hough, Chelsea Pond, Rachel Hoeve, Danielle Boothe, Shelby Black, Elizabeth Magnusson, Ricki Lee Hodges, Siani Null
Outlook: FGCU’s Emma Svensson won her third CCSA 100 free title in a row, winning in conference, meet-record NCAA B cut time 48.59. Despite Svensson’s graduation, FGCU has the top five CCSA times in the 100 free this season, led by Elise Haan’s 49.82. Katie Latham is second, at 50.14, while last year’s runner-up, Sara Hamilton, is ranked third at 50.33. Liberty’s Kendall Hough took third last year, and she is seeded 11th this year. Hamilton, Hough and Gardner-Webb’s Kelsey Williams (6th) are the only top-eight finishers from last year in the 2016 field. Chelsea Pond of Liberty finished ninth overall as a freshman in 2015.
200-yard Breaststroke
Defending Champion: Katie Armitage (Florida Gulf Coast) – 2:13.05
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Armitage (Florida Gulf Coast) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Emilie Kaufman (Liberty), 2/22/14 – 2:12.49
Conference Record: Emilie Kaufman (Liberty), 3/22/14 – 2:11.99
2015-16 Leader: Katie Armitage (Florida Gulf Coast) – 2:14.90
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (in a row) (Emilie Kaufman – 2014)
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Prudence Rooker – 2:21.24 (9th)
Liberty Entrants: Prudence Rooker, Morgan Noonan, Anna Dickinson, Morgan Weigner
Outlook: FGCU’s Katie Armitage returns to defend her crown in the 200 breaststroke title, as she has posted the top time this season, at 2:14.90. Teammate Hannah Soutar is ranked second at 2:16.76, followed by Gardner-Webb freshman Whitney Peters (2:18.11). Last year’s runner-up Lili Toth, is ranked fourth, at 2:19.10, while FGCU’s Vanessa Rivas finished third in 2015. Liberty’s Prudence Rooker placed sixth last year, and is seeded ninth at 2:21.24. Morgan Noonan is 12th at 2:21.93. Noonan missed the 2015 CCSA meet due to injury, but placed seventh in the 200 breaststroke at the 2014 league meet.
200-yard Butterfly
Defending Champion: Nina Schiffer (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:59.55
Top Returnee from 2015 Meet (Place): Hannah Wakeley (Liberty) (2nd place)
Championship Meet Record: Jess Reinhardt (Liberty), 2/22/14 – 1:56.79
Conference Record: Jess Reinhardt (Liberty), 2/22/14 – 1:56.79
2015-16 Leader: Christina Kaas Elmgreen (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:59.60
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (in a row) (Jess Reinhardt – 2014)
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Alicia Finnigan – 2:03.93 (5th)
Liberty Entrants: Alicia Finnigan, Hannah Wakeley, Ranndi Grubbs
Outlook: With the graduation of 2015 champion Nina Schiffer of FGCU, a new champion will be crowned, and the remaining seven A finalists return from 2015. Liberty’s Hannah Wakeley placed second last year and fifth in 2014, and she is currently ranked 14that 2:06.81. FGCU’s Christina Kaas Elmgreen has the fastest time in the CCSA this season, at 1:59.60, while teammate and 2015 third-place finisher Yee Ching Wong is second (2:02.05). Liberty’s Alicia Finnigan holds the fifth fastest time this year, 2:03.93.
Swimming news courtesy of Liberty Swimming & Diving.
