The Saginaw Valley State University women’s swimming and diving season officially came to an end this weekend as two of its members competed in the 2015 NCAA Division II National Swimming and Diving Championships.
Freshmen Rebeca Martinez and Katy Murphy made the journey to Indiana for the four-day event to represent the school for the first time at the National Championships.
Martinez participated in three events over the weekend, including the 200 Back, 200 IM and 400 IM. In the 200 Back Prelims, she finished 20th overall with a time of 2:03.81. She also placed 20th overall in the 400 IM Prelims with the time of 4:32.87, and 35th overall in the prelims for the 200 IM.
Martinez was invited to the event after posting the qualifying time of 2:01.63 in the 200 Back. The time also gave her the national rank of 16th heading into the event. The freshman also posted NCAA “B” qualifying times in the 200 IM, 400 IM and 500 Free allowing her to compete in those events as well.
Murphy qualified to compete in the Dive-in meet on March 10 with the chance to move on and
compete in the diving championships during the weekend. She fell just short of doing so as she placed 22nd overall with a score of 193.20. Murphy earned her qualifying score from the one meter board, which is what she jumped from in the competition.
The completion of the National Championships marks the end of a very successful year for the SVSU women’s swimming and diving team after its first year of competition. The team made a large splash early on, earning victories in their first seven competitions.
The Lady Cardinals capped their season with a strong finish in the GLIAC (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) Championships, finishing eighth overall with 224 points. Several Cardinals, including Martinez, topped their season best times and scores, all good for new school records.
Youth and experience will work in the Cardinals favor next year, as all of the members of the team will be returning looking to further their success of a stellar first season.