Cougars Gear Up for National Invitational Championship

Thursday, March 14

Cleveland, OH

All Day

Washington State University

CSCAA National Invite

March 11, 2019 | Swimming

CSCAA National Invite Preview CSCAA Championship Website Fan Central Page

By: Athletic Communications

2019 CSCAA National Invitational
Wednesday, Mar. 14 - Friday, Mar. 16
Robert F. Busbey Natatorium | Cleveland, Ohio

THIS WEEK
The Washington State swim team will travel to Cleveland, Ohio for the CSCAA National Invitational Mar. 14 – 16.

ABOUT THE INVITATIONAL
The CSCAA National Invitational was adopted in 2017 as a way to provide Division I swimmers and divers that have achieved NCAA "B" and Zone Standards, but are not selected for the NCAA Division I Championships, a chance to compete in the postseason.

COUGARS AT 2019 PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Cougars had a stellar performance for the program at the Pac-12 Championship, garnering 10 WSU Top-10 times including a school record in the 200 breast. Sophomore Mackenzie Duarte dominated in the preliminary round of the 200 breast with a 2:09.47 – a new school record and earning her a spot as the second seed in the finals. Also performing well for the Cougars was junior Ryan Falk who etched her name in the WSU Top-10 in the 500 (fourth), 1000 (fourth), and 1650 free (third). Sophomores Chloe Larson and Samantha Howell each etched their names in the Top-10 in two individual events. Larson clocked a 23.01 in the 50 free for fifth-fastest in program history and a 49.95 in the 100 free for sixth-fastest. Howell, an Austin, Texas native, earned the seventh and tenth-fastest times in the 1000 and 1650 free, respectively. Freshman Lauren Burckel had an outstanding performance at the Pac-12 Championships, grabbing third all-time in the 200 breast and eighth all-time in the 100 breast.

LINNEA LINDBERG HONORED AS LONE SENIOR FOR COUGARS
Senior Linnea Lindberg has had an outstanding performance for the Cougars this year – etching her name as the second-fastest Cougar in the 100 breast. Lindberg clocked a 1:06.60 in the event at the mid-season invite, less than a second off the school record. The Stockholm, Sweden native will look to improve her time at the CSCAA National Invitational this week. Lindberg currently holds four wins in the 100 breast this season, and is a member of two 200 medley relay wins.

COUGARS SEND MACKENZIE DUARTE TO NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
In just his first season with the Cougars, head coach Matt Leach will send sophomore Mackenzie Duarte to the NCAA National Championship. Duarte has proven to be a force in the pool in the 200 breast – breaking the school record in just her second season. The Walnut Creek, Calif. native has garnered 11 wins this season, including two wins over then-No. 14 Arizona and then-No. 25 Arizona State. Duarte is also a member of the 400 medley relay team that took home first against Arizona. The sophomore breaststroker's performance at the Pac-12 Championship not only earned her a spot as the second-seeded swimmer in the 200 breast A-final, but she also was the highest-placing Cougar in Pac-12 history. Duarte's time of 2:09.47 in the 200 breast is currently ranked 32nd in the country and is the ninth-fastest time by a sophomore this year.

COUGARS INK FOUR TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT
Four incoming student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent to the Washington State swim team. The 2019 signing class is comprised of Erin Harnum (Denver, Colo.), Kate Laderoute (West Linn, Ore.), Michee van Rooyen (South Africa), and Mia Zahab (Ottawa, Canada).