Nov. 21, 2014
ATLANTA, GA. – On Thursday the Commodores kicked off their first day in Atlanta, Ga. at the Georgia Tech invitational. Vanderbilt began the invite in the same fashion as last year, breaking records.
Sophomore Carrie Bencic swam her way into the Vanderbilt record books in the 500-yard freestyle, swimming a time of 4:54.48. The record was previously established last season by teammate Kathyn Babbin recording a time of 4:55.51.
“We had a really nice swim by Carrie (Bencic) tonight,” said head coach Jeremy Organ. “She has been doing a great job in practice so it was great to see results!”
This record marks the second year in a row where a Commodore has broken a school record on the first day of the Georgia Tech Invitational. Last season Elly Faulkner won the 200 IM on day one of the invite, breaking records with the top time of 2:02.71.
The Commodores tallied 110 points in all on Thursday; securing ninth place in the first event, the 200 relay. Elly Faulkner and Kara Luceni contributed points with back-to-back finishes, placing seventh (2:02.57) and eighth (2:03.00) in the 200-yard IM respectively. The VU relay team of Madeline Hunt, Kathryn Coughlin, Breanna Sapienza, and Hannah Martin demonstrated another solid showing in the 400-yard medley relay, securing a seventh place finish for the `Dores at a time of 3:45.03.
“Overall, I’m happy with what we saw tonight and I’m looking forward to see what we can do tomorrow.”
At the end of day one the Commodores rest in sixth place, ahead of Colorado State University, University of Miami, Georgia Institute of Technology, Bowling Green, Indian River State College, University of South Carolina, Campbell University, and Auburn University.
Friday’s invitational action begins with prelims at 10 a.m. ET for the following events; 200 Yard Medley Relay, 400 Yard Individual Medley, 100 Yard Butterfly, 200 Yard Freestyle, 100 Yard Breaststroke, 100 Yard Backstroke, Women’s Diving, Men’s Diving, and concludes with the 800 Yard Freestyle Relay. Finals will begin Friday evening at 6 p.m.
