Resounding relay highlights day two of Nationals for C-N
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Eagles were back in action from the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Eagles were back in action from the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina as the 2022 NCAA DII Swimming & Diving Championships rolled on with day two of events. Thursday saw the 100-yard butterfly, 400-yard IM, and 200-yard freestyle individual events take place while the nation's best competed in the 400-yard medley relay as well.
Through two days of events, it is Carson-Newman sitting in eighth overall for women's with 86 points while the men's side of the pool sees C-N sitting in 16th overall with 42 event points. Queens (N.C.) leads the way on both sides as they look to defend their 2021 title.
In the evening finale, the 400-yard medley relay, it was the women's side of the event taking place first as C-N looked to gain another All-American finish. Competing in heat three of three and in lane seven, it was the quartet of Kyla Blakemore (Durban, South Africa), Kailee Morgan (Greeneville, S.C.), Kennadi King (Marietta, Ga.), and Manon Compagner (Balkburg, Netherlands) finishing in 3:42.44
This places C-N sixth overall as C-N secures their second straight relay All-American honor of the 2022 Nationals.
In the men's 400-yard medley, it was Matthew George (Manchester, England), Asger Hartvig (Hoersholm, Denmark), Nicolas Lenuza (Spain), and Hobson Stelling (Memphis, Tenn.) looking to secure All-American honors. The quartet would turn in a finals time of 3:14.08 which places them 13th overall.
"Another amazing night and I'm really proud of them," head coach Jordan Taylor said. "These last two days is all about momentum and finishing strong."
The day got started off for C-N's Compagner as she was in action for the women's 100-yard butterfly prelims. Her prelim time of 54.82 secured the junior a spot in the event's consolation finals Thursday evening as she came in with the 15th fastest event time overall.
In the consolation finals, Compagner would swim to a finals time of 54.98. This allows the Netherlands native to garner the title of honorable mention All-American as well as capture a 15th overall place finish.
Making her mark once more on the Nationals stage was super senior CJ Jensen (Copenhagen, Denmark) as she took part in the women's 400-yard IM to begin her Thursday. As she would be in heat two, it would be Jensen taking the heat win with a time of 4:22.65.
Her time not only allows Jensen to be in the event's consolation finals, but also secures her the fifth-fastest event time in CNSW history. Jensen would see a place in the event's consolation finals after garnering the 10th fastest event time in prelims as she will swim in her second event finals in as many days.
Her consolation finals time of 4:21.15 allows Jensen to garner honorable mention All-American honors for the second straight night and add to C-N's event points total for the women's side of competition.
Jensen finished 12th overall with her finals time, which now stands as the fourth-fastest event time for CNSW as she best her prelims time and maintains hold of four of the top five event times for the Eagles alongside record-holder and current teammate, Meredith Ginn (Ocala, Fla.).
"Everyone is coming together and having fun. We expect to have a lot of fast races tomorrow and it has just been a fun and good experience overall for our team and program," Taylor said.
In the men's 100-yard butterfly, sophomore Nicolas Lenzua (Spain) swam a prelims time of 48.15 which placed him with the 22nd fastest time Thursday morning. Meanwhile, in the women's 400-yard IM, it was senior Meredith Ginn swimming a prelims time of 4:27.02 to garner the 27th overall time in the event.
Senior Igor Dantas (Indaiatuba, Brazil) would once more be in action as he competed in the men's 200-yard freestyle prelims Thursday morning. After swimming to honorable mention All-American honors in the 50-yard freestyle on Wednesday, the Brazil native attempted to keep his momentum rolling with a prelims time of 1:40.03. This would not secure a spot in either event finals tonight.
Carson-Newman is back in action tomorrow morning to begin day three of events at the 2022 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina from the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Live video is shown on ncaa.com
"For us to be here and showcase our talent amongst some top-level teams like Queens and UIndy speaks volume as we continue to grow as a program," Lenuza said. "I think we can continue going fast and having the ability to showcase our talents over the rest of Nationals."
Be sure to keep up with all things Carson-Newman swimming via cneagles.com and all social media accounts.
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