Courtesy: Liberty Athletics
Liberty will host James Madison, on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Liberty Natatorium.
The Lady Flames have won their conference meet for each of the last six seasons, while JMU is the defending Sun Belt champion. The Dukes have won six conference titles in the last seven seasons.
How to Follow the Lady Flames
Saturday’s meet will appear live on ESPN+, with Jason Prill calling the action. Live results will be available through the MeetMobile App.
Liberty’s ASUN Athletes of the Week This Season
Swimmer of the Week Aly Bozzuto (Oct. 17)
Diver of the Week Mary Herndon (Oct. 17)
Co-Diver of the Week Maddie Freece (Oct. 24)
Team Notes
- The Lady Flames (3-2) posted a 205.5-147.5 win over Tulane at Liberty Natatorium this past weekend. Aly Bozzuto won both the 50 free and 100 free. The freshman has not lost an individual or relay race so far this season. Eden Troxell claimed both the 500 free and 1000 free, remaining unbeaten in distance races this year. The Lady Flames also got individual wins from Malia Francis (200 back), Kamryn Cannings (100 fly), Taylor Stasny (100 breaststroke) and Maddie Freece (one-meter diving).
- Liberty won its sixth straight conference championship and seventh in program history, claiming the 2024 ASUN Swimming & Diving Championships. For the meet, Liberty earned 48 A Finals, 26 podium finishes and seven event victories.
- Kamryn Cannings was named Co-Most Outstanding Freshman of the 2024 ASUN Championships, winning both the 100 fly and 200 fly and placing second in the 100 free. Cannings and Sydney Stricklin (2022) are current Lady Flames who have been named Most Outstanding Freshman during their careers.
- Cannings competed in the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, placing 19th in the 100 fly in the fastest time (51.45) by any freshman in the event.
- Maddie Freece was named Most Outstanding Diver of the 2024 ASUN Championships, her third career conference most outstanding diver award. She won three-meter diving at the ASUN Championships, while finishing as runner-up on one-meter.
- Freece was one out of six Liberty divers to be selected to compete at the 2024 NCAA Zone Diving Championships. She was joined in qualifying by Mary Herndon, Shannon Icard, Chloe LaCount, Caroline Stamps and Meagan Tuohy. All but Tuohy return this season.
- Liberty had two swimmers compete in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, with Heather Gardner swimming in the 100-meter breaststroke and current Lady Flame Malia Francis placing 38th in the 200-meter backstroke. Additionally, Kamryn Cannings competed in the Canada Olympic Trials.
- 15th-year Head Coach Jake Shellenberger has led the Lady Flames from the program’s inception. He has posted a 132-40 dual-meet record, being named CCSA Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year six times (2012, 2014, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024).
- Six Lady Flames received CSCAA Individual Scholar All-America honors last season, in Kamryn Cannings (first team), Mary Herndon (second team), Shannon Icard (second team), Grace Isaacs, Genna Joyce (second team) and Caroline Stamps (second team).
- A total of 12 current Lady Flames have posted conference podium finishes in their career, led by seven from Maddie Freece. Sydney Stricklin (4), Shelby Kahn (4), Kamryn Cannings (3), Grace Isaacs (3), Kate Baker (1), Malia Francis (1), Isabelle Gomez (1), Mary Herndon (1), Shannon Icard (1), Caroline Stamps (1) and Eden Troxell (1) have all podiumed as well.
Matchup Highlights
- Liberty holds a 5-3 record in head-to-head dual meet competition against James Madison all-time. Liberty has won the last two meetings, most recently topping the Dukes 162-138 in the 2023-24 season opener JMU’s last head-to-head win over Liberty was Oct. 15, 2016 in Harrisonburg, a 168.5-125.5 win for the Dukes.
Meet Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 26
200 Medley Relay
1000 Freestyle
200 Freestyle
100 Backstroke
100 Breaststroke
200 Butterfly
50 Freestyle
3-Meter Diving
100 Freestyle
200 Backstroke
200 Breaststroke
500 Freestyle
100 Butterfly
1-Meter Diving
200 Individual Medley
400 Freestyle Relay
Up Next
The Lady Flames will host the TYR ’85 Invite, Nov. 22-24 at Liberty Natatorium.
