The Gustavus Adolphus College women’s swimming team is in sixth place (54 points) after the first day of the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships being held in St. Louis, Missouri.
Junior Beth DeLaRosby helped the Gusties get off to a fast start at the national meet. The Two Harbors, Minnesota native finished third in the 50 freestyle, swam the first leg on the fifth place 200 freestyle relay team and swam the anchor leg on the 12th place 400 medley relay team.
DeLaRosby’s third place finish in the 50 yard freestyle (23.63) is the highest individual finish ever posted by a Gustavus swimmer at the national meet.
The 200 free relay team opened the meet in grand fashion finishing fifth in a time of 1:36.78. The fifth place relay finish was the highest finish ever by a Gustavus women’s relay team. The team consisted of Beth DeLaRosby, Katie Garvey, Jessica Coleman, and Laura Watkins.
The Gusties wrapped up the day with a 12th place finish in the 400 medley relay. The team, which consisted of Katherine Haynes, Eva Miller, Emily King and Beth DeLaRosby, posted a time of 3:58.91.
Coach Jon Carlson’s squad will swim in four more events on Friday including Eva Miller in the 100 yard breaststroke, Katie Garvey in the 100 yard butterfly, the 200 medley relay and the 800 free relay. Prelims will begin at 11:00 am with the finals starting at 6:30 pm.
The meet will conclude on Saturday.