Vanderbilt loses back-to-back competitions on a busy weekend – The Vanderbilt Hustler

Two weeks earlier than the conclusion of the common season, Vanderbilt Swimming hosted Kentucky and Texas A&M on Senior Day earlier than touring to battle Southern Illinois. The Wildcats, Aggies and Salukis every handily defeated the Black and Gold. 

“There were a lot of positives we are going to be able to take from this weekend overall, but still some things we have to clean up as we look forward to a strong finish this season,” head coach Jeremy Organ stated. 

Day 1 

Melissa Cowen’s runner-up end within the 100-meter breaststroke and Abigail Hite’s career-best time (23.91) within the 50-meter freestyle highlighted the Commodores’ performances within the SEC tri-meet. Additionally, Emily Constable recorded season-best marks (1:02.97 and a pair of:17.27) in each the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke towards the Wildcats and Aggies, respectively. The sophomore’s efforts met the CSCAA National Invitational Championship B (NIC B) normal in each occasions for the primary time this season. Madelyn Porter’s season-best time within the 1,000-meter freestyle additionally made the CSCAA NIC B lower, and the Newburg, Indiana, native notched a season-low time within the 500-meter freestyle. Junior Liv Gooding recorded season-best instances (1:04.77 and a pair of:05.05) within the 100-meter breaststroke and 200-meter IM, whereas Quinlan Hinerfeld’s 2:02.06 mark within the 200-meter backstroke simply missed the NIC B lower within the senior’s last dwelling meet. 

Despite their spectacular efforts, the Commodores had been no match for Kentucky and Texas A&M, dropping each meets by extensive margins (206-55 and 202-54, respectively).  

Day 2 

Organ’s squad then traveled to Shea Natatorium to tackle Southern Illinois, the place Kate Heintz recorded the Commodores’ lone victory of the weekend — and the primary particular person victory of her collegiate profession — within the 100-meter fly. Cowen tacked on a runner-up end within the 200-meter breaststroke, and Porter touched the wall second within the 500-meter freestyle. Aubrey Hull notched runner-up placements in each the 100 and 200-meter backstroke. Merritt Zieminick and Bailey Ratzburg added No. 2 finishes of their very own within the 1,000-meter freestyle and 200-meter IM, respectively. Grace Ciaramitaro completed No. 3 within the 500-meter freestyle, and Constable doubled down with a No. 3 end within the 100-meter breaststroke.  

Despite their flurry of No. 2 and No. 3 finishes in particular person occasions, the Black and Gold misplaced the meet, 183.5-75.5.  

The Commodores will end their common season Jan. 30 with a twin meet at Arkansas.