Keiner Named CCSA Women's Swimmer of the Week
1/28/2020 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Liberty junior Payton Keiner has been named the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Women's Swimmer of the Week for the second time this season, as announced on Tuesday.
Keiner received her first career CCSA Swimmer of the Week honor on Jan. 7, and received the award again this week. This is the third year in a row in which a Liberty swimmer has been named CCSA Swimmer of the Week twice in the same season, joining Prudence Rooker (2017-18) and Gianni Pitto (2018-19). Liberty has now received 23 total Swimmer of the Week honors in program history.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Keiner helped Liberty go 2-0 at the TYR '85 Celebration Meet on Saturday, as the Lady Flames topped 2019 CAA Champion James Madison and Campbell.
Keiner earned three individual-event victories, with the last event, the 200 IM, being a mid-meet addition to her program. She opened the meet by swimming a season-best leadoff of 25.58 in the 200 medley relay, helping Liberty win in a team season-best 1:44.09. The junior won the 100 backstroke in 54.32, the fastest 100 back in the CCSA this season. Keiner then won the 200 backstroke in 1:58.58. After Liberty had sealed the meet victory, she entered the 200 IM for the first time this season, winning in 2:04.83, which is the fastest 200 IM by a Liberty swimmer this season
For the season, Keiner is the CCSA leader in both the 100 backstroke (54.32) and 200 backstroke (1:53.75). The NCAA B cut 1:53.75 she swam for 200 back at the TYR '85 Invite is ranked 23rd in the nation.
The Lady Flames will look to defend their conference title next month. For the first time since 2014, the CCSA Swimming & Diving Championships will be held at Allan Jones Aquatic Center in Knoxville, Tenn., Feb. 19-22. The last time the CCSA Championships were held at Tennessee, Liberty earned its first-ever conference title.
