CLEVELAND, Ohio. (March 16, 2019) – The Northern Arizona swimming and diving team finished off the final day of the National Invitational in Cleveland, Ohio in 19th place. The Lumberjacks were able to make up ground on their competition, as they moved up 12 spots. The 'Jacks entered the day in 31st place. On the day, the 'Jacks competed in seven different individual events and one relay event.
Of the five prelim races in the morning, the only 'Jack to move onto the finals was
Fernanda Montiel who placed 19th in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:02.01. This marks Montiel's best individual finish of the National Invitational. The most notable individual finish for the Lumberjacks on March 16, as well as in the whole invitational, was
Monique King in the 1000 freestyle event. King finished the event in 3rd place with a time of 9:59.97. The bronze medal was NAU's lone medal of the weekend in the invitational. King, also put together another top 20 finish in invitational as she finished 19th in the 1650 freestyle. The National Invitational will mark the final time that King will compete for the 'Jacks between the lanes. The senior has been a key for the 'Jacks between the lanes, as over the past two seasons she's been dominating the long-distance freestyle events. Fellow senior swimmer
Sarah Takach also wrapped up her Lumberjack career as she competed in the 100 individual medley event and finished in 39th place. Takach has been a staple in the IM events for the 'Jacks over the last four seasons.
Northern Arizona's lone relay event in day three of the event was the 400 freestyle relay. In the relay, the Lumberjacks placed 20th overall with a time of 3:27.95. The 20th place finish was good enough to score NAU two points for the meet. The 400 freestyle relay team was made up of
Katy Smith, King,
Sam Seiber and
Miranda Nichols.
