CLEVELAND, Ohio – Led by the performance of senior
Linnea Lindberg, the Washington State swim team put together a group of impressive performances at day one of the National Invitational Championships. The Cougars are 12th with 91 points, sitting just behind James Madison who have 93.
"The Cougars did an amazing job today" said assistant coach
Bex Freebairn. "Individually, our team swam well. Linnea's performance in the 50 breaststroke was a great tone-setter for our team. Her time of 28.01 was a meet record and it's a great thing to see a Cougar up on the podium. Taylor and Lauren's swims in the 200 IM were amazing! They both snuck into the WSU Top-10, and that's a great thing for our program. The team atmosphere was exciting to see. Go Cougs!"
Lindberg, a senior from Stockholm, Sweden, set a program record in the 50 breast, touching the wall in a dominating 28.01, and claiming the National Invitational Championship title. The senior breaststroker is the first Cougar in program history to win any sort of national title.
Sophomore
Taylor McCoy and freshman
Lauren Burckel had outstanding performances in the 200 IM – etching their names into the WSU Top-10 list. McCoy clocked a 2:02.78 to place herself ninth in the 200 IM. This marks her fourth individual event that she is in the Top-10. Burckel clocked a 2:03.21 in the event, to sit 10th in the Top-10 – marking her third ranked individual event in the program.
Freshman
Paige Gardner clocked a lifetime-best in the 50 free, touching in 23.78 to tie for 33rd.
The 200 free relay team of
Chloe Larson, Gardner,
Payton Bokowy, and
Keiana Fountaine clocked the second-fastest time this season in the event, touching the wall in 1:33.45. McCoy, Lindberg,
Emily Barrier, and Larson touched the wall in 3:44.27 in the 400 medley relay for ninth – second fastest time this season.
Cougars will compete in the second day of competition. Preliminary rounds for the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, and 100 back begin at 9 a.m.; finals for those events and the 200 medley and 800 free relays start at 6 p.m.
