FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 22, 2019) – Northern Arizona University swimming and diving competed separately today, with swimming at New Mexico State University as diving hosted their annual Lumberjack Diving Invite. Both events are spread across two days, finishing up tomorrow.
Jenny Cheetham took the gold on the 1-meter against San Diego State University and the University of Idaho while NMSU leads 107-79 heading into day two of the dual meet.
Lumberjack Diving Invite Day 1
Diving completed day one of the Lumberjack Diving Invite with the 1-meter and platform events.
Jenny Cheetham,
Emily Sharrer and
Emily Luberto qualified to move onto the finals from their preliminary scores. With a tally of 329.80, Cheetham was just four points away from breaking the Wall Aquatic Center previous' record of 332.33. Luberto earned 251.40, combined 513.50. Sharrer 289.60, combined 572.90. Cheetham took home gold on the 1 with a zone diving score of 641.80.
"It was a great first day for us," diving head coach
Nikki Huffman said. "This is how we kind of gauge where we are at and what we need to do for the end of the season. Right now we're in good shape but we still do have a lot of room to improve and hope to keep doing that before February and March."
On the platform, Luberto took the lead for NAU, raking in 220.85 points to place fourth. Cheetham found herself just behind Luberto at fifth with 220.65. Sharrer was 13
th with 213.15. The difference between tenth place and second was just nine points.
"It's nice to see our freshman,
Emily Luberto, kind of beat [Cheetham and Sharrer],"Huffman said. "Really happy with what she's doing. She just missed her cut off for zone diving by a few points."
The diving invite will wrap up tomorrow at 10 a.m. with the 3-meter dive.
Swimming at New Mexico State University
The Lumberjacks kicked off their day in Lac Cruces, New Mexico with the 100 butterfly.
Maddie Seidl started NAU off well, landing in second at 56.35.
Astrid Villeda continued the 'Jacks success in the 1650 freestyle, taking gold in the second event with a time of 17:28.66.
Sam Milewski was behind her with a time to earn second of 17:45.14.
The Aggies (2:04.30) kept
Niamh McDonagh from taking first in the 200 individual medley, forcing her into second at a 2:06.35.
Haley Mayhew stayed close behind them with a 2:06.90 time.
Miranda Nichols also raced tough but fell to fourth in the 50 free for a time of 24.15.
Through the first four events, New Mexico reigned 48 to NAU's 28.
Starting in the second half of the day,
Lainie Bell,
Hope Williams, Seidl and
Erin Spielman placed second in the 400 medley relay four seconds behind New Mexico State's relay team (3:44.65) with a time of 3:48.60. Behind them were
Fernanda Montiel,
Clara Foster,
Kate Bier and
Miranda Nichols at 3:50.77. The 'Jacks took second and tied for third in the 200 free relay. Nichols, Montiel,
Sarah O'Connor and
Lainie Bell clinched second (1:35.95) while
Erin Spielman, Abby Nelson,
Lauren Hazel and Williams tied for third with New Mexico State at 1:37.09.
McDonagh came back to win the 400 IM with a 4:26.11 time, with
Keeley Vardeman in fourth at 4:36.03. Nichols also resurged in the 200 freestyle, coming in at 1:52.24 to earn first-place honors.
Katy Smith placed third in the race with a time of 1:53.68 and
Alice Hick trailed behind her in fourth at 1:54.19.
Williams won her first gold of the day in the 100 breaststroke at 1:02.72, beating her opponents by a full second, with a New Mexico State's swimmer coming in at 1:04.03.
Bell and Hazel continued to earn the 'Jacks points in the 100 backstroke. Bell earned third place with a time of 57.08; Hazel was just behind at 58.77.
The Aggies ended up on top to end the day at 107 with the Lumberjacks trailing behind at 79. The competition will conclude tomorrow 11 a.m. when the sides contest the 200 medley relay, 500 free, 200 back, 200 breast, 100 free, 200 fly and 400 free relay.
