FLAGSTAFF, Ariz (October 14, 2021) - The Northern Arizona swimming and diving team hosts their first competition of the season on Saturday, taking on Arizona Christian University and Ottawa University. The meet is set to start at 11:30 a.m. MST, and will be open to the public at the Aquatic and Tennis Center.
The Lumberjacks head into Saturday morning's meet just two weeks after their Blue and Gold meet. The intrasquad meet allowed the 'Jacks to display their strengths and prepare for a new season while eyeing their ninth consecutive WAC Championship.
The Lumberjacks bring in 12 new athletes, while returning 21. Highlighting the Pentathlon and Blue and Gold intrasquad meets, was impressive competition from freshmen Ashley Lawrence and Helena Robla-Alvarez.
Lawrence took first place in the annual pentathlon with 3,520 points and two first place finishes in both the 100-meter butterfly as well as the 100m freestyle. Robla-Alvarez proved herself at the blue and gold meet with three top three place finishes, placing first in both the 200 yard free and the 500 yard free.
The Arizona Christian Firestorm heads into Saturday's meet with a two-day meet under the belt for the 2021-22 season. ACU faced Westmont and SOKA in a tri-meet where they placed first on day one and second on day two. The Firestorm saw their best in the butterfly events where freshmen Eva Garraux and Katie Sheldon placed first in the 100 and 200 fly, respectively.
The Ottawa Spirit competed in an intrasquad Orange vs. Burgundy meet in late September, which was the only competition on schedule ahead of Saturday's meet for the Spirit. Ottawa Women's swimming placed fourth in their conference championships in February, and they return seven seven of their athletes. This will be the Lumberjacks first time facing Ottawa University in swimming.
Saturday's meet will feature 16 events total. To stay up to date with NAU Swimming and Diving, follow the Lumberjacks on Twitter and Instagram.
