SEATTLE — Seattle U women's swimming returned to action on Saturday, as it opened the home slate of the 2020-21 season against Whitworth. The Redhawks were edged out late by the Pirates, 137-123, snapping a 13-meet win streak.
"This was a great meet that went right down to the wire and those are fun and exciting to be a part of," said Seattle U head coach Craig Nisgor. "I know the result didn't go our way, but based on our performance with just four practices since the holiday break, I'm really happy with how we competed and our overall fight."
"It's been crazy and just difficult season at times getting together to practice and be where we want to be," Nisgor added. "But we'll get there and this meet was a good start on what we can do and who we are."
Seattle U won six of 14 events, highlighted by a podium sweep in the 1000-yard freestyle. Freshmen Cassie Koester led the field to register her first-collegiate career win as she touched in at 11:14.85, while classmates Kennedy Philbrick (11:17.60) and Manna Nelson (11:30.34) respectively followed.
Sophomore Alexa Hoeper also stood out with a pair of first-place victories in the 100 backstroke (1:01.63) and 200 backstroke (2:13.78), while senior Allison Plamondon notched a first-placed finish win the 50 freestyle (24.70).
With Seattle U trailing late, senior Sherlyn Devadason (1:02.85) and sophomore Isabella Guadiamos (1:03.25) began to turn the Redhawks fate around, as the duo went 1-2, respectively, in the 100 butterfly. Sophomore Tessa Oliver then came through with a much needed first-place finish in the 200 individual medley (2:15.83), while freshman Maggie Robben (2:19.24) contributed third-place points to help close the deficit.
The rally however fell short for the Redhawks were unable to get the event win they needed in the 400 freestyle relay, as the quartet of Guadiamos, Emilia Culberson, Koester and Robben earned second with combined time of 3:49.63. Meanwhile the team of Allie Freeman, Audrey Dixon, Nelson and Philbrick immediately followed with a time of 3:58.84.
The Redhawks next meet is scheduled for Jan. 23 as they host Washington State.
Other Podium Finishers:
Emilia Culberson: 200 free (2nd, 2:04.26); 100 free (3rd, 56.64)
Maggie Robben: 200 free (3rd, 2:07.04); 200 IM (3rd, 2:19.24)
Danika Himes: 200 breast (2nd, 2:27.14); 100 breast (3rd, 1:09.23)
Allison Plamondon: 100 free (2nd, 54.17)
Isabella Guadiamos: 200 fly (2nd, 2:17.39)
Tessa Oliver: 200 fly (3rd, 2:20.45)
Cassie Koester: 500 free (2nd, 5:31.68)
400 Medley Relay: Hoeper, Himes, Oliver, Plamondon (2nd, 4:05.90)