FLAGSTAFF, Ariz (September 30, 2021) – Wrapping up the preseason slate, NAU swimming and diving heads into their annual Blue and Gold meet this Friday, the meet is set to start at 2 p.m. MST, and will be free for the public to attend in the Aquatic and Tennis complex.
The seniors are split up and then choose their teams with a little guidance from Head Coach Andy Johns.
"They're pretty set to go so it should be fun, last year it came down to the last event and that's usually kind of how it goes. They do a good job of picking teams,"Johns said.
The Blue and Gold meet is set to allow the girls to compete in more of their specialty positions, in comparison to the Pentathlon where they are taking place in every style. In addition, the divers will be competing for the first time since NCAA Zone diving in the Spring.
Leading the gold team are senior captains Clara Foster, Aly Jones, and Astrid Villeda. The blue team will be lead by senior captains Abbie Nelson, Katy Smith, and Keeley Vardeman.
Representing the blue team is sophomore Annie Carlton who had a first place finish in last years blue and gold meet in the 200m. Alongside Carlton is Smith who placed second in the same event. The two will once again be teammates on the blue team in tomorrow's meet.
Returning sophomore Victoria Knapp made her Lumberjack debut at the blue and gold meet last season and proved herself quickly, having two top three finishes. Knapp placed first in the 3-meter diving, adding a third place in the 1-meter dives. Knapp will represent the Gold team this year. Junior Emily Luberto also had an impressive meet last year for the gold team, with a third place finish in the 3-meter dive. Luberto will now represent the Blue team.
The meet will hold events in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle, 50 freestyle, 200 IM, 3m diving, 100 fly, 100 free, 100 back, 500 freestyle, 1m diving, 100 breaststroke, and 200 free relay.
"We're trying to get ready for the dual meet season and this is a great opportunity to see them race again a little bit more in their specialty areas, and not quite as difficult as the pentathlon from a couple weeks ago," Johns said.
