The eighth place 200-free relay of Michelle Campeau, Katie Olson, Kate Reilly, and Danielle Klunk.
Shenandoah, Texas – Following two complete days of non-stop action at the 2015 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the Gustavus Adolphus women sit in ninth place with 64 points.
Head Coach Jon Carlson was impressed with the team’s performance this evening after what was an up-and-down start to the day. “We were able to turn things around and bounce back from a rough morning. I challenged them this afternoon and they responded with a pair of great races.”
The Gusties benefitted from two top ten relay performances on Thursday night in the Conroe ISD Natatorium. The 200-free relay team made up of Kate Reilly (Fy., Hastings, Minn.), Michelle Campeau (Fy., Rochester, Minn.), Danielle Klunk (Sr., Appleton, Wis.), and Katie Olson (Sr., North Oaks, Minn.) provided the Black and Gold its second All-America award of the meet by taking eighth with a time of 1:34.78.
“It was an inspired performance by the group who claimed All-America status with its effort,” said Carlson about the 200-free relay. “Sometimes, however, it’s the things that happen away from the pool that have the biggest impact. Ironically, Dani Klunk – the person with the least amount of swims – stepped up as a leader and set the tone for the team. I couldn’t be more proud of the small things she does both in the open and behind the scenes to enhance her teammates performances. I feel blessed to have her with us at nationals.”
The 400-medley relay capped off the night’s events by winning the consolation final to finish ninth overall with a time of 3:49.61. Hayley Booher (So., Warren, Vt.), Jenny Strom (Sr., Rochester, Minn.), Reilly, and Olson improved on their prelim time by more than a full second after going 3:50.69 in the morning.
“I’m excited for the rest of the meet especially after seeing how the women responded to a less than stellar morning,” Carlson added. “The 400-medley relay was indicative of that with all but Katie Olson going faster tonight.”
Carlson was quick to point out that although her split wasn’t faster, Olson was the difference in the race. “Being the veteran and true captain that she is, Katie stood on the blocks recognizing that Kate Reilly was out of gas with 10 yards to go. Despite the slower relay exchange, she was able to chase down two different teams to lead the group to a first place finish in the heat and a ninth place performance overall. It just shows how smart she is and how far experience and being able to handle pressure goes at this level.”
The Gusties will get back to work tomorrow morning with preliminary races beginning at 10:00 a.m. Jenny Strom will compete in the 100 breastroke, and Leah Anderson (Apple Valley, Minn.), Michelle Campeau, Katie Olson, and Strom will swim in the 800-free relay.
“Decisions like tonight’s relay finish are why Katie Olson is now a nine-time All-American and one of the finest swimmers to come through the Gustavus swimming and diving program,” complimented Carlson. “The women rebounded from a tough morning and we hope to take that momentum into the second half of the meet.”