Liberty Swimming & Diving to Begin CCSA Title Defense, Wednesday
2/14/2023 10:01:29 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Four-time defending champion Liberty is set to compete at the 2023 Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship, held Wednesday through Saturday at Allan Jones Aquatic Center in Knoxville, Tenn.
This will mark the third time that the CCSA Championships have been held in Knoxville. The Lady Flames claimed their first-ever CCSA title in 2014 at Jones Aquatic Center, while Liberty won the 2020 CCSA Championship in Knoxville, its second of four straight titles to date.
For the second year in a row, the CCSA Championships will feature four full days of action. Previously, the opening day would feature one diving event and two relays.
How to Follow the Lady Flames
Live results will be available for all events at the 2023 CCSA Swimming & Diving Championships. Also, live video streaming will be available through ESPN+. Fans can receive Twitter updates by following @LibertyFlames and @LibertyDiveSwim.
CCSA at a Glance
The CCSA, which also sponsors beach volleyball, is comprised of 11 teams for women’s swimming & diving. The conference added James Madison, Old Dominion and Queens for women’s swimming & diving this season, while Incarnate Word left the conference and now competes in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF).
On the women’s side, CCSA schools represent the Big South (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville), ASUN (Bellarmine, FGCU, Liberty, North Florida, Queens), Sun Belt (Georgia Southern, James Madison, Old Dominion) and Southland (Incarnate Word).
Liberty, hosting the CCSA Championships for the third time, won its fifth-ever CCSA title in 2022, and fourth in a row. The Lady Flames won with 1,830.5 points, defeating second-place FGCU with 302.5 points.
With the addition of 2022 NCAA Division II national champion Queens and four-time (2018-21) CAA champion James Madison, this week’s meet should be tightly contested.
Liberty (2014, 2019, 2020, 2021(t), 2022) and FGCU (2009-13, 2015-18, 2021 (t)) have combined to win the CCSA Championship 14 out of 15 years of conference history. The Eagles and Lady Flames have finished 1-2 in some order each of the last 11 years.
13th-year Head Coach Jake Shellenberger has led the Lady Flames from the program’s inception. He has posted a 124-37 dual-meet record, being named CCSA Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year three times (2012, 2014, 2019). His teams have gone 64-15 all-time against CCSA competition.
Last year at the CCSA Championships, the Lady Flames registered 26 podium finishes and nine event victories, to go along with four NCAA B cuts, four NCAA Zone Qualifying scores and one program record.
A total of 10 current Lady Flames have posted CCSA podium finishes in their career, led by seven from Eva Suggs. Jessica Schellenboom and Chloe Harris have posted five podium finishes each. Maddie Freece (4), Olivia Robinson (3), Abby Strohmeier (3), Abbie Shaw (2), Sydney Stricklin (2), Grace Isaacs (1) and Genna Joyce (1), have all podiumed as well.
Current Lady Flame with Program Records
One-meter diving (6) – Maddie Freece (320.75 – 2/18/22)
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.
2023 CCSA Championships
February 15-18
Allan Jones Aquatic Center
Knoxville, Tenn.
Schedule of Events
(Men, followed by women)
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”
Day 1 – Finals (6 p.m.)
200-yard Medley Relay “A”
Three-meter Diving (M)
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.
Three-meter diving prelims (W)
Day 2 – Finals (6 p.m.)
200-yard Freestyle Relay “A”
Three-meter Diving (W)
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”
Men’s one-meter Diving Prelims at 1p.m.
Day 3 – Finals (6 p.m.)
800-yard Freestyle Relay “A”
One-meter Diving (M)
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)
Women’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 (W)
400-yard Freestyle Relay "A"
Scoring
For the ninth straight year, there will be three scored finals (A, B & C) of each individual event at the women’s CCSA Championship. A total of 24 individuals will score in each event, with three finals consisting of eight swimmers each.
Individual events will be scored as follows: 32-28-27-26-25-24-23-22-20-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Relay events will be scored as follows: 64-56-54-52-50-48-46-44-40-34-32-30-28-26-24-22-18-14-12-10-8-6-4-2
Day 1 – Feb. 15, 2023
500-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Emma Hazel (Liberty) – 4:57.22
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Caitlin Hefner (UNC Asheville) (2nd place)
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
2022-23 Leader: Sophie Lange (Queens) – 4:50.07
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (Emily Manly – 2019; Emma Hazel – 2022)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Shelby Kahn – 4:57.43 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Shelby Kahn, Annalia Jansons, Eden Troxell, Isabelle Gomez, Mary-Ashlynne Gordon
Outlook: Liberty’s Emma Hazel graduated after winning last year’s CCSA 500 free title, her first individual conference championship. The 2022 runner-up, UNC Asheville’s Caitlin Hefner, is seeded eighth at 4:57.81 this year. The top five seeds all belong to athletes from conference newcomers Queens and James Madison. Queens’ Sophie Lange, the 2022 NCAA Division II runner-up in this event, holds the CCSA’s top time at 4:50.07. She is followed by teammate Katherine Bailey (4:53.59) and James Madison’s Jess Pryne (4:56.27), the Most Outstanding Swimmer at the 2022 ECAC Championships. Penn State transfer Shelby Kahn is Liberty’s top seed, in sixth at 4:57.43.
200-yard Individual Medley
Defending Champion: Amy Hornyak (Georgia Southern) – 2:00.80
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Chloe Harris (Liberty) (3rd place)
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
2022-23 Leader: Jess Pryne (James Madison) – 2:02.51
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Four (Emilie Kaufman – 2014; Prudence Rooker – 2018; Mikayla Herich – 2019 and 2020)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Jessica Schellenboom – 2:04.07 (8th)
Liberty Entrants: Jessica Schellenboom, Grace Isaacs, Kate Baker, Chloe Harris,
Outlook: With 2021 200 IM champion Petra Halmai of FGCU and last year’s champion, Georgia Southern’s Amy Hornyak, both gone, there will be a new winner in this event. Top-seeded Jess Pryne of James Madison (2:02.51) broke JMU’s program record in the 200 IM last year, swimming 1:58.97. Tova Andersson (2:02.80) of Queens is seeded second after finishing sixth at last year’s NCAA Division II National Championships. Queens’ Annika Huber (2:03.29) is third, followed by 2021 C-USA 200 IM champion Tara Enneking of Old Dominion (2:03.43). UNC’s Riley Edmundson (2:03.58) and Beatrice Cocconcelli (2:03.66) are seeded fifth and sixth. Liberty’s Jessics Schellenboom holds the eighth seed at 2:04.07, while teammate Chloe Harris finished third in this event each of the last two years.
50-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Wiktoria Czarnecka (Florida Gulf Coast) – 22.29 (Three-time champion)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Delaney Carlton (UNC Asheville) (2nd place)
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
2022-23 Leader: Danielle Melilli (Queens) – 22.48
Liberty Event Titles (Last): One (Brye Ravettine – 2012)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Sydney Stricklin – 23.27 (6th)
Liberty Entrants: Sydney Stricklin, Heather Gardner, Kaycee Cannings, Raea Farquharson, Faith Forsberg, Hannah Huenefeld, Sarah Fleury, Melina Hughes, Ella Kahn
Outlook: Florida Gulf Coast has won the 50 free at the CCSA Championships each of the last 10 years since Liberty’s Brye Ravettine won in 2012. Three-time defending champion Wiktoria Czarnecka of FGCU has graduated, while last year’s runner-up, UNC Asheville’s Delaney Carlton, is seeded third at 22.78. Two-time NCAA Division II 50 free national champion Danielle Melilli of Queens is seeded first at 22.48, followed by teammate Monica Gumina (22.66). 2022 CCSA third-place finisher Haley Jerew of FGCU holds the fourth seed (23.09), followed by 2021 third-place finisher Abby Parks of UNC Asheville (23.22). Liberty’s Sydney Stricklin is seeded sixth at 23.27.
Day 2 – Feb. 16, 2023
3-Meter Diving
Defending Champion: Reese Wakefield (Florida Gulf Coast) – 331.55
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Wakefield (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Savanna Meadows (Incarnate Word), 2/14/18 – 372.70
Conference Record: Savanna Meadows (Incarnate Word), 2/14/18 – 372.70
2022-23 Leader: Lexi Lehman (James Madison) – 316.43
Liberty Event Titles (Last): One (Maddie Freece – 2021)
Liberty’s Top Entry: Mary Herndon – 309.75 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Mary Herndon, Maddie Freece, Meagan Tuohy, Grace Gooding, Elizabeth Mumau, Haley Adams, Molly Gallagher, Sarah Simpson
Outlook: The last three CCSA women’s three-meter titles have been won by athletes who will be competing this week. FGCU’s Reese Wakefield won in 2020 before Maddie Freece of Liberty claimed the title in 2021. Wakefield then regained her three-meter crown last year, followed by Liberty’s Lauren Chennault and Freece. CCSA newcomer James Madison has three out of the top four three-meter scores, led by Lexi Lehman (316.43). Liberty freshman Mary Herndon is second (309.75), followed by JMU’s Lindsey Hammar (300.90) and Alexia Holloway (297.38). Wakefield (275.48) and Freece are seeded fifth and sixth, respectively.
100-yard Butterfly
Defending Champion: Wiktoria Czarnecka (Florida Gulf Coast) – 53.34
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Sydney Stricklin (Liberty) (2nd place)
Championship Meet Record: Jess Reinhardt (Liberty), 2/21/14 – 52.14
Conference Record: Jess Reinhardt (Liberty), 3/21/14 – 51.72
2022-23 Leader: Cam Kuriger (Florida Gulf Coast) – 53.94|
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (all in a row) (Bethany Wakeley – 2012; Jess Reinhardt – 2013-14)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Chloe Harris – 55.25 (4th)
Liberty Entrants: Chloe Harris, Sydney Houtz, Abbie Shaw, Melina Hughes, Raea Farquharson, Alexis Plogger, Lauren Wilson, Rachel Strickland, Sarah Fleury,
Outlook: Last year’s 100 fly winner, Wiktoria Czarnecka of FGCU, has graduated, leaving a new champion to be crowned. FGCU freshman Cam Kuriger holds the top seed at 53.94, followed by Martina Ciriesi of Old Dominion (54.64) and Queens’ Monica Gumina (55.18). Chloe Harris of Liberty is seeded fourth (55.25), followed by JMU’s Sydni Diehl (55.71). Last year’s runner-up in this event, Sydney Stricklin of Liberty, is focusing on other events this season.
400-yard Individual Medley
Defending Champion: Grace Isaacs (Liberty) – 4:17.31
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Grace Isaacs (Liberty) (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
2022-23 Leader: Jess Pryne (James Madison) – 4:17.61
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Gianni Pitto – 2019; Mikayla Herich – 2020; Grace Isaacs - 2022)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Grace Isaacs – 4:22.18 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Grace Isaacs, Genna Joyce, Isabelle Gomez,
Outlook: Jess Pryne, James Madison’s program record holder in 400 IM, holds the top time in the CCSA this year at 4:17.61. Liberty posted a 1-2-3-4 finish in this event last year (Grace Isaacs, Chloe Harris, Genna Joyce, Emmy Gallion), the first CCSA team to go 1-2-3-4 in any event since FGCU (100 free) in 2017. Isaacs holds the second seed at 4:22.18, followed by Queens’ teammates Annika Huber (4:22.44) and Tova Andersson (4:23.51). Last year’s runner-up, Chloe Harris, will compete in the 200 IM, 100 fly and 200 fly this week.
200-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Eva Suggs (Liberty) – 1:49.31
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Eva Suggs (Liberty) (Three-time 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
2022-23 Leader: Monica Gumina (Queens) – 1:46.79
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Four (Emily Zimcosky – 2019; Eva Suggs – 2020, 2021 and 2022)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Shelby Kahn – 1:49.60 (2nd)
Liberty Entrants: Shelby Kahn, Eva Suggs, Kaycee Cannings, Kate Baker, Annalia Jansons, Eden Troxell, Ella Kahn, Faith Forsberg
Outlook: Liberty has won this event each of the last four years, courtesy of Emily Zimcosky (2019) and Eva Suggs (2020, 2021 and 2022). In each of the last three CCSA Championships, Liberty earned 1-2-3 finishes in the 200 free. Suggs became the first three-time 200 free champion in meet history last year, but will likely face a stiff challenge from 2022 NCAA Division II national champion Monica Gumina (1:46.79) of Queens. Liberty’s Shelby Kahn (1:49.60) and Suggs (1:49.70) hold the second and third seeds, respectively, while Anna Marcotti of UNC Asheville (1:50.44) is seeded fourth at 1:50.44.
Day 3 – Feb. 17, 2023
100-yard Backstroke
Defending Champion: Abbie Shaw (Liberty) – 53.93
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Abbie Shaw (Liberty) (Champion)
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
2022-23 Leader: Abbie Shaw (Liberty) – 52.94)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Six (Brittany Weiss – 2017 and 2018; Payton Keiner – 2019, 2020 and 2021; Abbie Shaw - 2022)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Abbie Shaw – 52.94 (1st)
Liberty Entrants: Abbie Shaw, Sydney Stricklin, Sydney Houtz, Jamyson Robb, Eva Suggs, Rachel Strickland,
Outlook: Liberty has won the 100 backstroke each of the last six years, with Abbie Shaw claiming last year’s title after following in the footsteps of Brittany Weiss (2017, 2018) and Payton Keiner (2019, 2020 and 2021). Earlier this season, Shaw swam 52.94, becoming just the fifth CCSA women’s swimmer all-time to break 53 seconds for 100 backstroke. Last year’s runner-up, Nora Segurola of UNC Asheville, is seeded second at 54.32. The Lady Flames have three out of the top four seeds, in top-seeded Abbie Shaw, third seed Sydney Stricklin (54.36) and fourth seed Sydney Houtz (55.02).
100-yard Breaststroke
Defending Champion: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:00.53
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Mikaela Fullerton (UNC Asheville) (2nd)
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
2022-23 Leader: Danielle Melilli (Queens) – 1:01.45
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (in a row) (Laura Day – 2013; Emilie Kaufman – 2014)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Heather Gardner – 1:01.94 (2d)
Liberty Entrants: Heather Gardner, Genna Joyce, Jamyson Robb, Jessica Schellenboom, Alexis Plogger, Hannah Huenefeld, Abbie Leisure,
Outlook: Petra Halmai of FGCU concluded her four-year reign as 100 breaststroke champion last year. Queens’ Danielle Melilli, two-time NCAA Division II champion in this event, holds the top time at 1:01.45. Remarkably, 1:01.45 was only good for fourth last year, as Jessica Schellenboom would have podiumed with that time in every CCSA Championship up until last year. Annika Huber of Queens is seeded second at 1:01.80, followed by Liberty’s Heather Gardner at 1:01.94. FGCU’s Jenna Gwinn holds the fourth sed at 1:02.40, while Mikaela Fullerton of UNC Asheville is seeded sixth (1:02.76) after finishing second last year.
200-yard Butterfly
Defending Champion: Chloe Harris (Liberty) – 2:01.51
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Chloe Harris (Liberty) (Champion)
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
2022-23 Leader: Cam Kuriger (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:59.63)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Eight (Jess Reinhardt – 2013 and 2014; Alicia Finnigan – 2017, 2018 and 2019; Lindsey Cohee – 2020 and 2021; Chloe Harris - 2022)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Chloe Harris – 2:03.01 (4th)
Liberty Entrants: Chloe Harris, Grace Isaacs, Kate Baker, Lauren Wilson, Mary-Ashlynne Gordon
Outlook: Similarly to the 100 backstroke, Liberty has won the 200 fly in each of the last six CCSA Championships (Alicia Finnigan, 2017 through 2019, Lindsey Cohee; 2020 and 2021). Chloe Harris won the 200 fly last year for Liberty and is seeded fourth at 2:03.01. FGCU freshman Cam Kuriger holds the top seed at 1:59.63, followed by UNC Asheville’s Riley Edmundson (2:01.01), last year’s CCSA runner-up. Queens’ Sophie Lange is seeded third at 2:02.75.
Day 4 – Feb. 19, 2022
1,650-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Caitlin Hefner (UNC Asheville) – 16:47.40
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Caitlin Hefner (UNC Asheville) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Lauren Oglesby (Gardner-Webb), 2/21/2015 – 16:20.60
Conference Record: Sophie Lange (Queens), 11/18/22 – 16:16.97
2022-23 Leader: Sophie Lange (Queens) – 16:16.97
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Delia Weber – 2017; Mikayla Herich – 2019 and 2020)
Liberty’s Top Entry Time: Eden Troxell – 16:54.63 (3rd)
Liberty Entrants: Eden Troxell, Isabelle Gomez, Mary-Ashlynne Gordon
Outlook: Queens’ Sophie Lange, the 2022 NCAA Division II national champion in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle, broke Lauren Oglesby’s (2015) longstanding CCSA 1650 record, swimming 16:16.97 in November. Last year’s CCSA champion, Caitlin Hefner of UNC Ashville, is seeded a distant second at 16:51.69, followed in third by Liberty freshman Eden Troxell (16:54.63). Queens’ Katherine Bailey (16:56.91) and Faith Mutschler on North Florida (16:57.22) are the only remaining CCSA swimmers to break 17 minutes this season.
1-Meter Diving
Defending Champion: Maddie Freece (Liberty) – 320.75
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Maddie Freece (Liberty) (Back-to-Back Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Savanna Meadows (Incarnate Word), 2/16/18 – 335.80
Conference Record: Savanna Meadows (Incarnate Word), 2/16/18 – 335.80
2022-23 Leader: Lindsey Hammar (James Madison) – 281.40
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Three (Lauren Chennault – 2020; Maddie Freece – 2021, 2022)
Liberty’s Top Entry: Grace Gooding – 266.78 (5th)
Liberty Entrants: Grace Gooding, Meagan Tuohy, Mary Herndon, Maddie Freece, Molly Gallagher, Elizabeth Mumau, Haley Adams, Sarah Simpson
Outlook: Maddie Freece came back to win the one-meter conference title on her final dive at last year’s meet, earning her second straight one-meter crown. She has the opportunity to join FGCU’s Karmin McNamara (2009-11) as the only three-time one-meter champions in meet history. James Madison has the top three one-meter divers this year, is Lindsey Hammar (281.40), Maddie Yager (279.53) and Felicity Ryan (278.85). Three-time one-meter podium finisher Reese Wakefield of FGCU is seeded fourth at 271.28, followed by Liberty’s Grace Gooding (266.78). Two-time defending champion Maddie Freece is seeded seventh at 264.40.
100-yard Freestyle
Defending Champion: Sydney Stricklin (Liberty) – 49.48
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Sydney Stricklin (Liberty) (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
2022-23 Leader: Monica Gumina (Queens) – 49.04
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (Brye Ravettine – 2012; Brittany Weiss – 2020)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Sydney Stricklin – 50.27 (3rd)
Liberty Entrants: Sydney Stricklin, Kaycee Cannings, Shelby Kahn, Hannah Huenefeld, Melina Hughes, Raea Farquharson, Faith Forsberg, Sarah Fleury, Ella Kahn
Outlook: Liberty’s Sydney Stricklin made a dramatic comeback in the second 50 yards to beat top-seeded Wiktoria Czarnecka of FGCU for last year’s 100 freestyle title. Stricklin is seeded third in this year’s CCSA 100, behind last year’s NCAA Division II national runner-up Monica Gumina (49.04 this season) and champion (Danielle Melilli (49.21 in 2022-23)). UNC Asheville’s Delaney Carlton is seeded fourth at 50.27, followed by teammate, 2022 third-place finisher Abby Parks (50.40).
200-yard Backstroke
Defending Champion: Abbie Shaw (Liberty) – 1:55.13
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Abbie Shaw (Liberty) (Champion)
Championship Meet Record: Payton Keiner (Liberty) (2/21/20) – 1:52.63
Conference Record: Payton Keiner (Liberty) (2/21/20) – 1:52.63
2022-23 Leader: Emma Hixenbaugh (Florida Gulf Coast) – 1:58.90
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Five (Payton Keiner – 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; Abbie Shaw - 2022)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Abbie Shaw – 1:59.19 (3rd)
Liberty Entrants: Abbie Shaw, Eva Suggs, Rachel Strickland, Sydney Houtz, Annalia Jansons, Lauren Wilson
Outlook: Liberty has won the last five 200 backstroke titles in a row, a streak that includes four straight wins for conference record holder Payton Keiner. Liberty’s Abbie Shaw won last year in a lifetime-best 1:55.13, leading a 1-2-3 Lady Flames finish (Eva Suggs – 2nd; Emma Hazel – 3rd). The Lady Flames have gone 1-2-3 in this event each of the last three years. FGCU’s Emma Hixenbaugh has the top seed at 1:58.90 after finishing sixth in 2022. UNC Asheville’s Nora Segurola (1:58.99) is second, followed by defending champion Abbie Shaw. Queens’ Caroline Lawrence is seeded fourth at 2:00.23, while Suggs (2:00.50) is seventh.
200-yard Breaststroke
Defending Champion: Petra Halmai (Florida Gulf Coast) – 2:10.47 (Four-time champion)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet (Place): Jessica Schellenboom (Liberty) (2nd place)
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
2022-23 Leader: Annika Huber (Queens) – 2:13.18
Liberty Event Titles (Last): Two (in a row) (Emilie Kaufman – 2013 and 2014)
Liberty's Top Entry Time: Genna Joyce – 2:15.90 (3rd)
Liberty Entrants: Genna Joyce, Heather Gardner, Jamyson Robb, Jessica Schellenboom, Alexis Plogger, Abbi Leisure
Outlook: Petra Halmai of FGCU wrapped up her record-setting career as a four-time 200 breaststroke champion last year. This year’s leader is Annika Huber of Queens (2:13.18), followed by Old Dominion’s Martina Ciriesi (2:14.90). Liberty’s Jessica Schellenboom was CCSA runner-up in this event as both a freshman and junior, finishing third in 2021. Lady Flames teammates Genna Joyce (2:15.90) and Heather Gardner (2:16.89) are seeded third and fourth, respectively, while Queens’ Maike Jung (2:16.93) is fifth.
