PHOENIX, Ariz (December 11, 2021) - The Northern Arizona Swimming and Diving team started out conference competition with an impressive day at Grand Canyon University, but they couldn't hold off the Lopes, falling 182.5-117.5.
The diving squad competed in 1m and 3m dives, where Victoria Knapp brought home two first place finishes for the Lumberjacks. Finishing with a score of 309.23, Knapp took first in the 1m event. Knapp brought the first place in the 3m event home to the 'Jacks with a score of 326.55. Both of Knapps finishes were NCAA zone qualifying scores.
Earning another NCAA zone qualifying score, Maegan Jensen placed second in the 3m dives, with a score of 284.93. Reaney Preston and Kendall Marquez finished third and fourth respectively in the 1m dives, with Preston's score of 244.65, and Marquez at 240.30.
"Victoria was great on both boards, her and Maegan earned NCAA zone cuts again. Kendall and Reaney were really good on 1m, it was good for us to travel and learn what we have to work on mentally," Head Diving Coach Nikki Kelsey said.
The meet started off with the 200 medley relay, where NAU came in third behind GCU's 'A' and 'B' relay teams. The Lumberjacks 'A' team consisted of Sophie Velitchvov, Delaney Phillips, Caylah Jago, and Abigail Nelson, they finished with a time of 1:43.74.
"GCU swam really well, I thought we swam pretty good overall but they were just really sharp today. We were able to win the 500 and the 1000 and both diving events but it wasn't enough for a 16 event day," Head Coach Andy Johns said.
Casey Craffey brought both of the 'Jacks first place finishes in the swimming portion of the meet. Craffey finished the 1000 yard freestyle with a time of 10:12.19, and in the 500 yard freestyle at 4:56.42. Francesca Criscione came in second place in the 1000 free at 10:27.90, followed by Astrid Villeda in third place at 10:29.13.
Rachael Lytle gave the Lumberjacks another second place finish in the 200 butterfly, finishing the race with a time of 2:04.39. Lytle was followed by teammate Ashley Lawrence who placed third with 2:05.40.
The 200 breaststroke was a close race, as NAU placed second through fifth, coming in just behind Grand Canyon's Raphaela Nakashima. Haley Mayhew brought in second with a time of 2:21.55, followed by Delaney Phillips in third at 2:23.01. Jago placed second in the 100 fly, coming in at 55.24
"It was humbling for us, but a good indicator that we have some work to do between now and the end of February and that's what we're about to do as we head into California next week at the Cal Baptist Invite, it's a great opportunity to get back on track," Johns said.
The Lumberjacks will continue their away slate in California next week for a two day invite at Cal Baptist University, on Friday and Saturday.
