The defending WAC champion women from NAU will be adding another sprinter to their ranks next season, as in-state talent Natalie Dinch has verbally committed to join the Lumberjacks in the fall. Dince currently trains with the YMCA Westside Silver Fins and attends Liberty High School.
Last season, Dinch qualified to compete in both the 50 and 100 freestyles at the 2015 Arizona High School State Championships. Her highest finish at that meet came in the 100 free, where she finished 11th overall. She also came away with a 27th place finish in the 50 free.
Following her performance at high school state, Dinch went on to compete at the 2016 Arizona Short Course Senior State Championships. There, she swam new personal best times of 24.84 in the 50 free and 53.45 in the 100 free.
Dinch’s Top Times:
- 50 free- 24.84
- 100 free- 53.45
- 200 free- 1:56.87
- 100 back- 1:00.90
- 100 fly- 58.52
Dinch’s biggest impact at the WAC Championships will likely come in the sprint freestyle races. When she arrives at NAU, she’ll be joining a sprint group that includes Ila Hughes, Claire Hammond, Roni Houck, and Alina Staffeldt who all made the championship final of the 50 free and/or 100 free at 2016 WACs.
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