In just her second meet of the season and of her collegiate career, junior Jenelle Stacey posted the Cougars’ best 50-yard free of the season with a very fine 25.85 to punch her ticket for the NAIAs.
Sophomore Kaylen Hewko, who is already qualified for the NAIAs in several events, put in a yeoman-like effort today in Malibu, first adding the 500-yard free to her NAIA agenda with a team-leading and winning effort of 5:21.28. She then followed with her first 1650-yard free of the season and still qualified for the NAIA’s with another team-leading time of 18:39.67
Senior Lauren Wichhart, a master in the breaststroke, lowered her times in both the 100- and 200-yard events with NAIA qualifying efforts of 1:10.24 and a team-leading 2:32.08.
Freshman Sarah Burney will join Wichhart at the NAIA meet in the 100-yard breast after clocking a qualifying time of 1:13.74 today.
With 4 meets still on the regular-season docket, the Cougars now have 9 athletes qualified for the NAIA Championship Meet. Along with the aforementioned quartet, sophomore Karla Hill, freshman Stacey Wong, freshman Carrie Dotson, junior Patti Navarro and senior Parisa Dana are also head for the national championship meet.
The Cougars return to dual competition next week when they take on Biola University for the first time ever Saturday, Feb. 7, at 1 p.m. in Whittier, Calif.
