NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt swimming is set to return to action competing against two schools for the second straight meet, but this time the event is providing a twist.
When the Commodores take on host Illinois and Indiana State this weekend, scoring will include bonus points from a super final in all four 100 disciplines on the opening night as well as a shootout format in each of the four 50 strokes the next day. The competition begins at 5 p.m. Friday, with action at the ARC Pool continuing Saturday at 11 a.m.
Scoring in normal heats will be counted on a 5-3-1 basis in the individual matchup between two schools, with an additional five points available in bonus finals on Day 1 and champions finals the following day.
“This swim meet offers us a different experience, it’s still the same events but it’s going to give us an opportunity to end up with one vs. one vs. one and who is best gets on top,” head coach Jeremy Organ said. “It’s still a swim meet at the end of the day but with a different element, I think there’s really going to be an excitement on the deck that we haven’t seen before as it relates to a two-day dual meet. We’re looking forward to getting in there and getting after it.”
The Dores will be led in the freestyle sprint events by Reagan Mathieson and Megan Ciezczak, with the former pacing the team in the 50 and the latter in the 100 after Vandy’s first two meets. Aubrey Hull has the team’s best time in the 100 and 200 backstroke, while Emily Constable and Kailia Utley have posted the Commodores’ fastest marks in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and butterfly, respectively.
Mercedes Traba ranks first on the squad in the 500 and 1,000 free—both events are on the meet schedule—and Bailey Ratzburg is atop the list in the 200 individual medley as the team competes in the 400 IM for the first time this season.
“After coming back from South Carolina I definitely think we’ve turned a corner from a practice standpoint, we’re seeing some really good things day in and day out and a little more consistency,” said Organ. “I feel like at this point of the season we’re in a really good spot.”
