Women’s swimming team beats Alma, 144-121, for fourth straight dual meet win

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's swimming team won its fourth straight dual meet, including third against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rivals, with a 144-121 decision over Alma College today at the Upton Center Pool in Olivet.

The Comets posted the fastest time in 11-of-13 swimming events. Olivet was led by senior Caitlin Lohr (Holland/Hamilton) won the 50 freestyle at 24.70 seconds and 100 butterfly at 1:04.15 seconds. She also swam the butterfly leg of the first-place 200 medley relay and the leadoff leg of the winning 800 freestyle relay.

Joining Lohr on the medley relay were sophomore Alivia Hammond (Byron Center), freshman Kaitlin Smith (Port Huron) and junior Jana Blodgett (Sturgis), and their time was 1:55.50. All four of their splits were the fastest among all of the relays. On the 800 freestyle relay were Lohr, freshman Shana Bush (Alma), senior Jessica Howard (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) and freshman Jazmin Johnson (Grand Rapids/Northview). They broke the pool record with a time of 8:22.36.

Hammond also swept the backstroke events, winning the 100 in 1:04.54 and 200 in 2:22.32. For the second straight meet, Howard finished first in the 500 and 1,000 freestyle at 5:30.36 and 11:13.06, respectively. Johnson placed first in the 100 freestyle (:55.56) and 200 freestyle (2:04.56). She was also second behind Lohr in the 50 freestyle at 25.90 seconds.

Smith turned in the fastest time in the 200 individual medley at 2:26.36. Bush was second quickest in both the 200 freestyle at 2:07.55 and 500 freestyle at 5:43.15, and third in the 1,000 freestyle at 11:23.64. Sophomore Jacalyn Cordero (Holland) finished in second-place in the 200 backstroke at 2:23.45 and third in the 100 backstroke at 1:06.61. Sophomore Kristin Long (Pemberville, Ohio/Notre Dame Academy) had the second fastest times in the 100 butterfly, 1:07.27, and 200 individual medley, 2:26.96.

The Comets return to the pool in one week, Jan. 28, when they host Kalamazoo College at 1 p.m. Prior to the start of the meet, Olivet will recognize Howard and Lohr, who will be swimming in their final home meet.