ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s and women’s swimming teams are ready to compete in the NCAA Championships March 15-18, 2017 in Shenandoah, Texas at the CISD Natatorium.
MEN PSYCH SHEET | WOMEN PSYCH SHEET
Representing the Gustavus men’s squad will be Matt Allison (Fy., Grand Rapids, Minn.) and Tanner Sonnek (So., North Mankato, Minn.), both making their first appearances in the NCAA Championships.
Sonnek is set to compete in the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke as well as the 200-yard individual medley. He comes in as the No. 8 seed in the 100 breaststroke and No. 14 in the 200 breaststroke. At the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships, Sonnek put together an outstanding performance throughout the three day championships and was selected as the MIAC Swimmer of the Year. Highlighted by his MIAC meet record NCAA Selection Time of 55.10 to win the 100-yard breaststroke, he also added another top time in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:53.06. Repeating as the champion in the 200-yard breaststroke, he clocked a NCAA Selection Time of 2:02.12.
“It is fun to see Tanner progress as a swimmer,” said Head Coach Jon Carlson. “He does everything right, the fact that he is at nationals is no surprise to any of the coaches or his teammates. He is a hard worker and works diligently on his technique and that is why he is one of the top breaststrokers in the nation. We look forward to his swims,” said Carlson.”
Allison will participate in the 50-yard freestyle as the No. 15 seed, as well as the 100 and 200-yard freestyle. He qualified for nationals with a 200-yard freestyle relay lead off time of 20.49. At the MIAC Championships, Allison earned three all-conference times. He finished first in the 50-yard freestyle (20.72), second in the 100-yard freestyle, as well as second in the 200-yard freestyle (1:41.30). His 100 freestyle time was good for a NCAA B-cut time.
“Matt Allison is having an amazing freshman year,” Carlson commented. “We are very excited that he got in to nationals and we like his chances both in the 50 and the 100.”
The Gustie women are sending Kennedy Holwerda (Jr., Willmar, Minn.), Nicole Lohman (Sr., North Mankato, Minn.), Kate Reilly (Jr., Hastings, Minn.), and Maggie Webster (So., Apple Valley, Minn.) to this year’s NCAA Championships. Reilly, Lohman, and Webster return as competitors in last year’s championships.
Kate Reilly is set to compete in the 50-yard freestyle as the No. 17 seed, as well as the 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard butterfly, and 100-yard freestyle. Reilly led the Gusties at the MIAC Championships, claiming three individual all-conference awards as well as contributing to four all-conference relay finishes. Reilly finished third in each the 50-yard freestyle (23.54), 100-yard freestyle (52.00), and the 100-yard butterfly (57.12). The 50 freestyle time was good for a NCAA Selection Time and the 100 freestyle time was a NCAA B-cut time.
Maggie Webster will be participating in the 50-yard freestyle. Webster posted a NCAA B-cut time of 23.68 at day one of the MIAC Championships.
“Kate has a great chance to do something in her individual events. Maggie should do great as well,” Carlson mentioned.
In addition, the Gustie relay team of Holwerda, Lohman, Reilly, and Webster of are set to compete in the 200 and 400 freestyle and medley relays.
“We are very excited to get a relay back at nationals again, on the women’s side,” Carlson said. “It is nice to have experience, three out of the four have been to nationals before.”
Meet Schedule:
Wed. 15:
- Day 1 (Prelims) @ CISD Natatorium / 10 a.m. / Video
- Day 1 (Finals) @ CISD Natatorium / 6 p.m. / Video
Thur. 16:
- Day 2 (Prelims) @ CISD Natatorium / 10 a.m. / Video
- Day 2 (Finals) @ CISD Natatorium / 6 p.m. / Video
Fri. 17:
- Day 3 (Prelims) @ CISD Natatorium / 10 a.m. / Video
- Day 3 (Finals) @ CISD Natatorium / 6 p.m. / Video
Sat. 18:
- Day 4 (Prelims) @ CISD Natatorium / 10 a.m. / Video
- Day 4 (Finals) @ CISD Natatorium / 6 p.m. / Video
Additional information can be found at the NCAA DIII National Championship Website and the Meet Central Page.
“We treat nationals like it’s a celebration of the season. We’re excited to go there, swim our hearts out and have fun,” said Carlson.