Women’s Swimming & Diving Earns 155-138 Dual Win Over St. Thomas

In its final dual of the season, the Gustavus Adolphus College women’s swimming and diving team took care of business against one its chief MIAC rivals on Friday evening at the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex Aquatic Center. The Gusties won a total of 12 events and kept their unblemished dual record intact by defeating…

Linnea Rizzo continued her strong rookie season with two event victories in Friday's dual win over St. Thomas.
Linnea Rizzo continued her strong rookie season with two event victories in Friday’s dual win over St. Thomas.

Gustavus 155, St. Thomas 138 (Complete Results)

ST. PAUL, Minn. – In its final dual of the season, the Gustavus Adolphus College women’s swimming and diving team took care of business against one its chief MIAC rivals on Friday evening at the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex Aquatic Center. The Gusties won a total of eight events and kept their unblemished dual record intact by defeating the University of St. Thomas 155-138.

“While it was clear that St. Thomas didn’t put out their best lineup, it was great how our girls really stepped up tonight and performed well,” said Coach Jon Carlson. 

Gustavus was especially strong in the 200 and 500 Freestyle races, earning the top-three finishes in each. In the 200, Leah Anderson (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.) led the way with a 1:59.29. Nicole Lohman (Jr., North Mankato, Minn.) was second with a 2:00.64, while Maggie Webster (Fy., Apple Valley, Minn.) came in third with a 2:03.61. In the 500, first-year Linnea Rizzo (Woodbury, Minn.) took gold with a time of 5:19.51. Anderson followed closely with a 5:20.59, and Sydney Hallmark (Fy., Cedarburg, Wis.) rounded out the top-three with a 5:30.06.

Rizzo also picked up a win in the 1,000 Free with a time of 10:53.22, a time that broke a St. Thomas pool record, and Lohman earned a victory in the 100 Free with a 54.17.

Kate Reilly (So., Hastings, Minn.) continued on her momentum from last weekend, earning a win in the 100 Breaststroke with a time of 1:07.45. Morgan Field (Sr., Albert Lea, Minn.) and Hayley Booher (Jr., Warren, Vt.) also found gold, winning the 200 Breaststroke and 200 IM with times of 2:30.87 and 2:12.01, respectively. Booher’s time in the 200 IM was also a St. Thomas pool record.

The Gusties’ final win came in the 200 Medley Relay, where Michelle Simms (Fy., Inver Grove Heights, Minn.), Tarin Anding (Sr., Sartell, Minn.), Field, and Reilly were victorious with a time of 1:48.89.

“Certainly a well-earned victory, but that being said, it is clear that St. Thomas is the top team going into the MIAC Championships,” said Carlson. “Our women are excited to head into the conference meet as underdogs, trying to catch the Tommies.”

The Gustavus swimming and diving teams are in action once more before the upcoming MIAC Championships on Feb. 18-20. The Gusties travel to the Aquatic Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota for the Minnesota Challenge set to take place Feb. 5-6.