School Record Shattered

DeBeer earns school record in 100-yard backstroke

ATHENS, Ga.- Vanderbilt swimming closed out day four of the SEC Championships breaking both a school record and freshman record while racking up twelve season-best times.

The Commodores initiated day four with three student-athletes racing in the 200-yard butterfly.

Leading the swim for the Dores, sophomore Brooke Ellis raced her season-best time touching in at 2:02.92 followed by fellow sophomore, Lara Hernandez-Tome finishing right behind Ellis (2:05.8) marking her season-best time.

Collecting her second personal-best time of the week, sophomore transfer Rachel Goldblatt completed the 200-fly in 2:08.8. This time also marked Goldblatt’s season-best time.

Racing in the second event of the day, seven Dores took the pool to battle in the 100-yard backstroke with freshman Tonner DeBeer leading the Commodores.

DeBeer started strong in the race prevailing to the final 25-yard sprint, touching the wall with a final time of 54.36, shattering Vanderbilt’s previous school-record (54.53).

With this time, DeBeer also raked in her second freshman-record of her SEC Championship debut.

“I’m really humbled by how I swam this week, especially after breaking the school-record in the 100-yard backstroke,” said DeBeer.

“I’m definitely more excited and motivated for what’s to come after this week. Wrapping up my first conference meet has really put into perspective how competitive the SEC conference is. This experience will only encourage and push me to work even harder next year,” said the freshman.

Six Commodores raced season-best times in the event, Johanna Goldblatt (55.15), Madison Eaker (55.35), Lauren Thomas (57.22), Mary Beckwith (57.91) and Eun Chon (58.83).

Competing in the last event of Thursday’s prelims, breaststroke standouts, Lizzy ColwellLindsey Gordon and Hannah Hunt took on fellow SEC opponents in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Racing in 1:03.27, Colwell and Gordon tied, each marking their season-best time.

Closing day four, the Dores returned to the pool to battle in the 400-yard medley relay.

Competing in her last relay as a Commodore, senior Johanna Goldblatt lead the team in the 100-yard backstroke.

“I’ve swam the 100 back hundreds of times so I was excited to have my last one to be a part of the relay. It didn’t hurt any less than the other ones, but this time I kept on saying to myself, “You can do this, just one last lap”. I’m always thrilled to be a part of this relay and I can’t wait to wrap up my final SEC Championship tomorrow,” said Goldblatt.

The relay team touched in at 3:43.40, concluding day four with another season-best time.

The Dores finish competition Saturday racing in the 1650-yard freestyle, 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke and 400-yard freestyle relay.

Follow along as the Dores wrap up the SEC Championships by following @VandySwimming on Twitter and Instagram.