Women’s swimming team beats Saint Mary’s, 107-96

NOTRE DAME. Ind. -- The Olivet College women's swimming team defeated Saint Mary's (Ind.) College, 107-96, today at the Rolfs Aquatic Center in Notre Dame, Indiana.

In a short 11 event program, the Comets got off to a fast start by finishing first in the 200 medley relay with the team of Jacalyn Cordero (Holland), Crystal Jager (Dorr/Hamilton), Kristin Long (Pemberville, Ohio/Notre Dame Academy) and Emily LaPorta (Hamilton) touching the wall in 1:56.95.

Junior Jessica Howard (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) then took second in the 1,00 freestyle (11:33.31). In the 100 freestyle, Long placed second in 2:04.21, followed by freshman Ally Ramer (Holt) in third-place at 2:06.63.

Olivet then went 1-2-3 in the 50 freestyle. Caitlin Lohr (Holland/Hamilton) was first (:24.38), followed by Jana Blodgett (Sturgis) in second at :26:58 and LaPorta in third at :26.83. In the next event, the 200 individual medley, Jager placed second with a personal best time of 2:18.56.

Next up was the 100 butterfly, where Lohr finished second at 1:03.12 and Long was third at 1:06.31. Ramer then captured the top finishing spot in the 100 freestyle in 57.22 seconds. The Comets had another 2-3 finish, this time in the 100 backstroke. Alivia Hammond (Byron Center) placed second (1:05.28) and out-touched Cordero, who was just .19 seconds behind at 1:05.47.

Howard had her second runner-up finish, finishing second in the 500 freestyle (5:35.91). Jager capped the individual events by winning the 100 breaststroke. Her time of 1:08.63 was just slower than her own school record time of 1:08.41. In the final event, 200 freestyle relay, the quartet of Blodgett, Ramer, Hammond and Lohr was awarded first-place points after the Belles' relay was disqualified. Their time was 1:43.62.

Olivet will swim a non-conference meet against Albion College next Friday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m.