Host Liberty to Begin CCSA Title Defense, Wednesday
2/15/2022 12:39:35 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Prelims Video Streaming (Big South Network)
Finals Video Streaming (ESPN3.com)
Liberty, three-time defending conference champion, will host the 2022 Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship, held Wednesday through Saturday at Liberty Natatorium.
This will mark the third time that Liberty has hosted the CCSA Championships, as the Lady Flames became the first member school to host the conference meet in 2019. The Lady Flames won the 2019 CCSA Championships at home before winning the 2020 conference title in Knoxville, Tenn. Liberty then made it three in a row last year, finishing in a tie for first place with Florida Gulf Coast.
Due to the CoVID-19 pandemic, last year’s CCSA meet was split, with the women’s meet taking place over a three-day span, followed by an off-day and then the men’s meet. This year, both women’s and men’s competitions will be held over the same four-day span.
This will be a ticketed event. Four-day, full event passes are $40 for adults and $25 for youth 12 and under. Single-day passes are $20 for adults and $10 for youth 12 and under.
How to Follow the Lady Flames
Live results will be available for all events at the 2022 CCSA Swimming & Diving Championships. Also, live video streaming will be available through the Big South Network (morning sessions) and ESPN3 (evening sessions). Fans can receive Twitter updates by following @LibertyFlames and @LibertyDiveSwim.
CCSA at a Glance
The CCSA, which also sponsors beach volleyball, is comprised of nine teams for women’s swimming & diving.
On the women’s side, CCSA schools represent the Big South (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville), ASUN (Bellarmine, FGCU, Liberty, North Florida), Sun Belt (Georgia Southern) and Southland (Incarnate Word).
Liberty, hosting the CCSA Championships for the second time, won its fourth-ever CCSA title in 2021, and third in a row. The Lady Flames and FGCU finished in a tie for the conference championship, as both teams finished with 1,748.5 points.
Based on this season’s top times in the CCSA, it appears that FGCU and Liberty should battle it out for first place once again. Liberty (2014, 2019, 2020, 2021(t)) and FGCU (2009-13, 2015-18, 2021 (t)) have combined to win the CCSA Championship 13 out of 14 years of conference history. The Eagles and Lady Flames have finished 1-2 in some order each of the last 10 years.
12th-year Head Coach Jake Shellenberger has led the Lady Flames from the program’s inception. He has posted a 118-34 dual-meet record, being named CCSA Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year three times (2012, 2014, 2019). His teams have gone 63-15 all-time against CCSA competition.
Last year at the CCSA Championships, the Lady Flames registered 21 podium finishes and seven event victories, to go along with four NCAA B cuts and one program record.
A total of 11 current Lady Flames have posted CCSA podium finishes in their career, led by six each from Lauren Chennault and Emma Hazel. Eva Suggs has earned five top-three placings, followed by four from Jessica Schellenboom. Olivia Robinson (3), Maddie Freece (2), Chloe Harris (2), Abigail Egolf-Jensen (1), Chloe Rippey (1), Abby Strohmeier (1) and Emily Zimcosky (1) have all podiumed as well.
Current Lady Flames with Program Records
One-meter diving (6) – Lauren Chennault (291.15 – 11/23/19)
Three-meter diving (6) – Lauren Chennault (317.85 – 2/1/19)
Platform diving (5) – Olivia Robinson (229.58 – 11/18/18)
As was the case last year, many records and lifetime-best times should be expected, as the team has aimed to peak at the conference championships.
An event-by-event preview of individual events follows. Please note that the entries listed are those which appear on the pre-scratch psych sheet, and are subject to change.
2022 CCSA Championships
February 16-19
Liberty Natatorium
Lynchburg, Va.
Schedule of Events
(Women, followed by men)
Day 1 – Trials (10 a.m.)
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
20-minute intermission
200-yard Medley Relay “B” & “C”
Women’s three-meter Diving Prelims at 1 p.m.
Day 1 – Finals (6 p.m.)
200-yard Medley Relay “A”
Three-meter Diving (W)
500-yard Freestyle
200-yard Individual Medley
50-yard Freestyle
Day 2 – Trials (10 a.m.)
200-yard Freestyle Relay “B” & “C”
10-minute intermission
100-yard Butterfly
400-yard Individual Medley
200-yard Freestyle
20-minute intermission
400-yard Medley Relay "B"
Men’s three-meter Diving Prelims at 1 p.m.
Day 2 – Finals (6 p.m.)
200-yard Freestyle Relay “A”
Three-meter Diving (M)
100-yard Butterfly
400-yard Individual Medley
200-yard Freestyle
400-yard Medley Relay "A"
Day 3 – Trials (10 a.m.)
100-yard backstroke
100-yard breaststroke
200-yard butterfly
20-minute intermission
800-yard Freestyle Relay “B”
Women’s one-meter Diving Prelims at 1p.m.
Day 3 – Finals (6 p.m.)
800-yard Freestyle Relay “A”
One-meter Diving (W)
100-yard backstroke
100-yard breaststroke
200-yard butterfly
Day 4 – Trials (10 a.m.)
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Backstroke
200-yard Breaststroke
20-minute intermission
400-yard Freestyle Relay "B"
Women’s platform diving (exhibition)
Men’s one-meter Diving Prelims at 1 p.m.
1,650-yard Freestyle-All but last heat of time finals
Day 4 – Finals (6 p.m.)
1,650-yard Freestyle-Last heat of time finals
100-yard Freestyle
200-yard Backstroke
200-yard Breaststroke
One-meter Diving (M)
400-yard Freestyle Relay "A"
Scoring
For the eighth straight year, there will be three scored finals (A, B & C) of each individual event at the women’s CCSA Championship. A total of 27 individuals will score in each event, with three finals consisting of nine swimmers each.
Individual events will be scored as follows: 35-31-30-29-28-27-26-25-24-22-19-18-17-16-15-14-13-12-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Relay events will be scored as follows: 70-62-60-58-56-54-52-50-48-44
Day 1 – Feb. 16, 2022
3-Meter Diving
Defending Champion: Maddie Freece (Liberty) – 297.50
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Freece (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Savanna Meadows (Incarnate Word), 2/14/18 – 372.70
Conference Record: Savanna Meadows (Incarnate Word), 2/14/18 – 372.70
2021-22 Leader: Reese Wakefield (Florida Gulf Coast) – 301.15
Liberty Event Titles (Last): One (Maddie Freece – 2021)
Liberty’s Top Entry: Maddie Freece – 279.83 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Maddie Freece, Lauren Chennault, Grace Gooding, Olivia Robinson, Abigail Egolf-Jensen, Allie Hallstrand, Meagan Tuohy, Sarah Simpson, Allison Van Milligan
Outlook: In what is likely a first in conference history, each of the last three three-meter diving champions are in this year’s field. Megan Wakefield of FGCU won the three-meter title in 2019, followed by sister Reese Wakefield in 2020. Liberty’s Maddie Freece claimed three-meter last year, giving the Lady Flames their first three-meter title in program history. Lauren Chennault of Liberty has finished top-three in three-meter all three years, including second place in 2020, while teammate Olivia Robinson podiumed in 2019 (second) and 2020 (third).
500-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Ximena Conde Merlos (Incarnate Word) – 4:53.43
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Ximena Conde Merlos (Incarnate Word) (Back-to-back Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Lani Cabrera (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/18/2016 – 4:47.53
Conference Record: Lani Cabrera (Florida Gulf Coast), 11/19/2015 – 4:47.43
2021-22 Leader: Ximena Conde Merlos (Incarnate Word) – 4:57.37
Liberty Event Titles (Last): One (Emily Manly – 2019)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Emma Hazel – 5:02.41 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Emma Hazel, Abby Strohmeier, Emmy Gallion, Mary-Ashlynne Gordon, Ashley Sennett
Outlook: Incarnate Word’s Ximena Conde Merlos earned her second straight 500 free title last year, followed by FGCU’s Michaela Sizemore and Liberty’s Emma Hazel. Conde Merlos holds the top seed at 4:57.37, followed by UNC Asheville’s Caitlin Hefner (4:58.05) and FGCU’s Sara Niepelova (4:58.74). The 2020 third-place finisher, Brenda Diaz Martinez of Incarnate Word, is back this year, making for a deep field. Seven out of nine A Finalists return from 2021.
200-yard Individual Medley
Defending Champion: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:59.02
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Halmai (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Fanny Teijonsalo (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/18/2016 – 1:58.29
Conference Record: Fanny Teijonsalo (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/18/2016 – 1:58.29
2021-22 Leader: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast) – 2:01.48
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Four (Emilie Kaufman – 2014; Prudence Rooker – 2018; Mikayla Herich – 2019 and 2020)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Chloe Harris – 2:06.07 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Chloe Harris, Jessica Schellenboom, Grace Isaacs, Kate Baker, Abbi Leisure, Chloe Rippey, Jamyson Robb
Outlook: FGCU’s Petra Halmai snapped Liberty’s three-year winning streak in the 200 IM, claiming victory last year over a pair of freshmen in Georgia Southern’s Amy Hornyak and Liberty’s Chloe Harris. Halmai, who also earned runner-up honors in the 200 IM in 2020, holds the top seed time at 2:01.48. Hornyak (2:03.00) and FGCU’s Anna Hogan (2:04.33) are seeded second and third, respectively. Six out of nine A Finalists return in 2022.
50-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Wiktoria Czarnecka (Florida Gulf Coast) – 22.64
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Wiktoria Czarnecka (FGCU) (Back-to-back Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/19/2015 – 21.98
Conference Record: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/19/2015 – 21.98
2021-22 Leader: Wiktoria Czarnecka (Florida Gulf Coast) – 22.77
Liberty Event Titles (Last): One (Brye Ravettine – 2012)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Heather Gardner – 23.70 (7th)
Liberty Entrants: Heather Gardner, Sydney Stricklin, Hannah Huenefeld, Sydney Houtz, Raea Farquharson, Abbie Shaw, Melina Hughes, Amelia Wickham, Alexis Plogger
Outlook: Florida Gulf Coast has won the 50 free at the CCSA Championships each of the last nine years since Liberty’s Brye Ravettine won in 2012. Two-time defending champion Wiktoria Czarnecka is seeded first at 22.77, followed by teammate Hailey Jerew (22.81). UNC Asheville’s Delaney Carlton (23.20) and Abby Parks (23.37) are seeded third and fourth after earning second and third, respectively, in this event last year. Seven out of nine A Finalists return this year.
Day 2 – Feb. 17, 2022
100-yard Butterfly
Defending Champion: Cassie Phillips (Incarnate Word) – 53.50 (transferred to San Diego State)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Wiktoria Czarnecka (Florida Gulf Coast) – 53.51 (2nd place)
Championship Meet Record: Jess Reinhardt (Liberty), 2/21/14 – 52.14
Conference Record: Jess Reinhardt (Liberty), 3/21/14 – 51.72
2021-22 Leader: Wiktoria Czarnecka (Florida Gulf Coast) – 53.18
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (all in a row) (Bethany Wakeley – 2012; Jess Reinhardt – 2013-14)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Sydney Stricklin – 56.59 (9th)
Liberty Entrants: Sydney Stricklin, Melina Hughes, Kate Baker, Sydney Houtz, Alexis Plogger, Sophia Miller, Shelby Haines, Lauren Wilson, Rachel Strickland, Raea Farquharson, Ashley Sennett
Outlook: With the transfer of last year’s winner, Cassie Phillips, from Incarnate Word to San Diego State, FGCU’s Wiktoria Czarnecka is the favorite this year with a 53.14 seed time. Czarnecka finished as runner-up last year, and is more than two seconds clear of second-seeded Julia Rodriguez (55.58) of FGCU. Rodriguez won the 100 fly as a freshman in 2020 and joins Czarnecka as the only two active CCSA swimmers to podium in the 100 fly. Five out of nine A Finalists return in 2022.
400-yard Individual Medley
Defending Champion: Ximena Conde Merlos (Incarnate Word) – 4:20.58
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Ximena Conde Merlos (Incarnate Word) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Liz Zeiger (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/16/18 – 4:13.06
Conference Record: Liz Zeiger (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/16/18 – 4:13.06
2021-22 Leader: Sara Niepelova (Florida Gulf Coast) – 4:22.83
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (Gianni Pitto – 2019; Mikayla Herich – 2020)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Grace Isaacs – 4:22.84 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Grace Isaacs, Chloe Harris, Genna Joyce, Emmy Gallion
Outlook: Incarnate Word’s Ximena Conde Merlos returns as champion after claiming the 400 IM title in 2021. Liberty’s Chloe Harris claimed third as a freshman last year and will challenge again this season. Conde Merlos has a pair of 400 IM podium finishes, also placing third in 2020. Seven out of nine A Finalists return this year. FGCU’s Sara Niepelova is seeded first at 4:22.83, followed just one-hundredth of a second by Liberty’s Grace Isaacs (4:22.84). Amy Hornyak of Georgia Southern holds the third seed at an even 4:23.00.
200-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Eva Suggs (Liberty) – 1:49.01
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Eva Suggs (Liberty) (Back-to-back Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Elise Haan (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/19/2016 – 1:46.20
Conference Record: Elise Haan (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/19/2016 – 1:46.20
2021-22 Leader: Annie Sanchez (Campbell) – 1:50.33
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Emily Zimcosky – 2019; Eva Suggs – 2020 and 2021)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Eva Suggs – 1:52.42 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Eva Suggs, Emma Hazel, Abby Strohmeier, Hannah Huenefeld
Outlook: Liberty has won this event each of the last three years, courtesy of Emily Zimcosky (2019) and Eva Suggs (2020 and 2021). In both 2020 and 2021, Liberty earned 1-2-3 finishes in the 200 free. Two years ago, it was Suggs, Hannah Baker and Emma Hazel, while last year it was Suggs, Hazel and Abby Strohmeier, in that order. Suggs, this year’s sixth seed (1:52.42), has the opportunity to become the first three-time 200 freestyle champion in CCSA history. All nine A Finalists return from 2021. Campbell holds the top two seeds, in Annie Sanchez (1:50.33) and Colleen Renshaw (1:51.72), followed by UNC Asheville’s Delaney Carlton and FGCU’s Joely Merriman at 1:51.94.
Day 3 – Feb. 18, 2022
1-Meter Diving
Defending Champion: Maddie Freece (Liberty) – 293.15
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Maddie Freece (Liberty) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Savanna Meadows (Incarnate Word), 2/16/18 – 335.80
Conference Record: Savanna Meadows (Incarnate Word), 2/16/18 – 335.80
2021-22 Leader: Reese Wakefield (Florida Gulf Coast) – 305.10
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (Lauren Chennault – 2020; Maddie Freece – 2021)
Liberty’s Top Entry: Lauren Chennault – 300.00 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Maddie Freece, Lauren Chennault, Abigail Egolf-Jensen, Grace Gooding, Allie Hallstrand, Olivia Robinson, Meagan Tuohy, Allison Van Milligan, Sarah Simpson
Outlook: All nine A Finalists return from the three-meter diving competition at the 2021 CCSA Championships. Just like in three-meter, each of the last three CCSA one-meter champions will be in the field this week, and all three podium finishers are back from 2019 through 2021. Megan Wakefield won the event in 2019, followed by Liberty’s Lauren Chennault in 2020 and Maddie Freece of Liberty last year. The last three years have been (first through third): 2019 – Megan Wakefield, Liberty’s Olivia Robinson, Chennault; 2020 – Chennault, FGCU’s Reese Wakefield, Liberty’s Abigail Egolf-Jensen; 2021 – Maddie Freece, Chennault, Reese Wakefield.
100-yard Backstroke
Defending Champion: Payton Keiner (Liberty) – 53.46 (Three-time Champion)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Claire McAtee (Florida Gulf Coast) (2nd place)
Championship Meet Record: Elise Haan (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/17/16 – 51.65
Conference Record: Elise Haan (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/17/16 – 51.65
2021-22 Leader: Abbie Shaw (Liberty) – 53.88)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Five (Brittany Weiss – 2017 and 2018; Payton Keiner – 2019, 2020 and 2021)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Abbie Shaw – 53.88 (1st)
Liberty Entrants: Abbie Shaw, Sydney Houtz, Eva Suggs, Shelby Haines, Rachel Strickland, Sophia Miller
Outlook: Liberty has won the 100 backstroke each of the last five years, with Brittany Weiss winning in 2017 and 2018 and Payton Keiner claiming victory in 2019, 2020 and 2021. A new winner will be crowned this year. FGCU’s Claire McAtee is last year’s runner-up, while Incarnate Word’s Kristen Straszacker finished third in both 2020 and 2021. Liberty’s Abbie Shaw holds the top seed at 53.88, followed by UNC Asheville’s Nora Segurola (54.66) and Straszacker (55.36). After defending champion Keiner, each of the next 28 qualifiers from 2021 return this year.
100-yard Breaststroke
Defending Champion: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:00.11
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast) (Three-time Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coats), 2/16/21 – 59.98
Conference Record: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast), 3/19/21 – 59.76
2021-22 Leader: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:00.72
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (in a row) (Laura Day – 2013; Emilie Kaufman – 2014)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Jessica Schellenboom – 1:03.33 (5th)
Liberty Entrants: Jessica Schellenboom, Jamyson Robb, Genna Joyce, Chloe Rippey, Heather Gardner, Abbi Leisure, Amelia Wickham
Outlook: Three-time defending champion Petra Halmai of FGCU broke her own CCSA record in this event at the 2021 NCAA Championships, swimming 59.76. She holds the top time (1:00.72), followed by UNC Asheville’s Mikaela Fullerton (1:01.19). Last year’s runner-up, Georgia Southern’s Amy Hornyak, is this year’s third seed at 1:02.40. Fullerton and Liberty’s Jessica Schellenboom tied for third last year. Schellenboom (runner-up) and Incarnate Word’s Mariana Ruvalcaba Cruz both podiumed in this event in 2020. Halmai is looking to join Liberty’s Payton Keiner (200 back, 2018-21) Davidson’s Lindsey Martin (50 free and 100 free, 2008-11) and FGCU’s Leah Daniel (1650 free, 2009-12) as the only swimmers to win four CCSA titles in the same event in their careers. Eight out of nine A Finalists return in the 100 breaststroke this year.
200-yard Butterfly
Defending Champion: Lindsey Cohee (Liberty) – 1:58.87 (Back-to-back champion)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Anna Nabors (UNC Asheville) (4th place)
Championship Meet Record: Christina Kaas Elmgreen (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/15/18 – 1:55.55
Conference Record: Christina Kaas Elmgreen (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/15/18 – 1:55.55
2021-22 Leader: Riley Edmundson (UNC Asheville) – 2:01.75
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Seven (Jess Reinhardt – 2013 and 2014; Alicia Finnigan – 2017, 2018 and 2019; Lindsey Cohee –
2020 and 2021)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Chloe Harris – 2:03.40 (3rd)
Liberty Entrants: Chloe Harris, Kate Baker, Emmy Gallion, Grace Isaacs, Lauren Wilson, Mary-Ashlynne Gordon
Outlook: Similarly to the 100 backstroke, Liberty has won the 200 fly in each of the last five CCSA Championships. After Alicia Finnigan claimed the 200 fly title each year from 2017 through 2019, Lindsey Cohee won the 200 fly in 2020 and 2021 before graduating. This is the only event this week where none of the 2021 podium finishers will be competing, and only four out of nine A Finalists are back this year. UNC Asheville’s Riley Edmundson holds the top seed time at 2:01.75, followed by Georgia Southern’s Tori Rucker (2:03.26) and Liberty’s Chloe Harris (2:03.40).
Day 4 – Feb. 19, 2022
1,650-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Ximena Conde Merlos (Incarnate Word) – 16:48.41
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Ximena Conde Merlos (Incarnate Word) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Lauren Oglesby (Gardner-Webb), 2/21/2015 – 16:20.60
Conference Record: Lauren Oglesby (Gardner-Webb), 2/21/2015 – 16:20.60
2021-22 Leader: Caitlin Hefner (UNC Asheville) – 16:57.96
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Delia Weber – 2017; Mikayla Herich – 2019 and 2020)
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Mary-Ashlynne Gordon – 17:56.13 (19th)
Liberty Entrants: Mary-Ashlynne Gordon, Ashley Sennett
Outlook: Incarnate Word’s Ximena Conde Merlos earned the 2021 1,650 freestyle title after finishing as runner-up in 2020 to Liberty’s Mikayla Herich. Merlos is seeded second (17:13.02) behind UNC Asheville freshman Caitlin Hefner (16:57.96). Last year’s runner-up, FGCU’s Michaela Sizemore, is seeded sixth this year at 17:25.43, while 2020 third-place finisher, Brenda Diaz Martinez, holds the fifth seed at 17:25.18. Freshman Zurine Clavo Lopez of Georgia Southern (17:13.77) holds the third seed. Seven out of the top nine return from 2021.
100-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Wiktoria Czarnecka (Florida Gulf Coast) – 49.51
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Wiktoria Czarnecka (Florida Gulf Coast) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/21/2015 – 48.59
Conference Record: Emma Svensson (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/21/2015 – 48.59
2021-22 Leader: Wiktoria Czarnecka (Florida Gulf Coast) – 49.58
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (Brye Ravettine – 2012; Brittany Weiss – 2020)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Sydney Stricklin – 51.74 (9th)
Liberty Entrants: Sydney Stricklin, Abby Strohmeier, Hannah Huenefeld, Melina Hughes, Amelia Wickham, Raea Farquharson, Alexis Plogger, Lauren Wilson,
Outlook: After Liberty’s Brittany Weiss won the 100 free title in 2020 to snap FGCU’s seven-year winning streak in the event, Wiktoria Czarnecka gave the Eagles another 100 free title last year. Czarnecka holds the top seed time at 49.58, followed by teammate Hailey Jerew (50.82) and UNC Asheville’s Delaney Carlton (50.91). Last year’s top three all return, in Czarnecka, FGCU’s Zuzu Rabiniak and Campbell’s Colleen Renshaw. In fact, the top 11 finishers are back from 2021.
200-yard Backstroke
Defending Champion: Payton Keiner (Liberty) – 1:54.73 (Four-time champion)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Emma Hazel (Liberty) (2nd place)
Championship Meet Record: Payton Keiner (Liberty) (2/21/20) – 1:52.63
Conference Record: Payton Keiner (Liberty) (2/21/20) – 1:52.63
2021-22 Leader: Nora Segurola (UNC Asheville) – 1:59.29
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Four (Payton Keiner – 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Eva Suggs – 2:00.35 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Eva Suggs, Emma Hazel, Abbie Shaw, Sophia Miller, Shelby Haines, Rachel Strickland,
Outlook: Liberty’s Payton Keiner graduated after winning four straight CCSA 200 backstroke titles. Teammate Emma Hazel is back after finishing second to Keiner each of the last three years. Liberty went 1-2-3 in the 200 back in both 2020 and 2021, in the same order (Keiner-Hazel-Eva Suggs). UNC Asheville’s Nora Segurola is seeded first at 1:59.29, followed by Suggs (2:00.35) and Incarnate Word’s Kristen Straszacker (2:00.49). Hazel holds the sixth seed at 2:02.00. Keiner is the only finalist from 2021 to not return to the 200 backstroke in 2022, as each of the next 24 finalists is on an active roster.
200-yard Breaststroke
Defending Champion: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast) – 2:08.17 (Three-time champion)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet (Place): Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast) (Three-time champion)
Championship Meet Record: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast), 2/22/2020 – 2:07.38
Conference Record: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast), 3/20/21 – 2:06.89
2021-22 Leader: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast) – 2:09.78
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (in a row) (Emilie Kaufman – 2013 and 2014)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Jessica Schellenboom – 2:17.89 (4th)
Liberty Entrants: Jessica Schellenboom, Genna Joyce, Chloe Rippey, Heather Gardner, Abbi Leisure, Jamyson Robb,
Outlook: Three-time defending champion and conference record holder Petra Halmai of FGCU is the heavy favorite, as her 2:09.78 seed time is nearly five seconds faster than second seed Mikaela Fullerton of UNC Asheville (2:14.35). Georgia Southern’s Amy Hornyak (2:15.55), the 2021 runner-up, is seeded third, followed by Liberty’s Jessica Schellenboom (2:17.89). Schellenboom finished as 200 breaststroke runner-up in 2020, followed in third by teammate Chloe Rippey. Each of last year’s top 10 finishers are back this season.
