Danville, KY – The Cumberlands women's swimming & diving team recorded a plethora of strong performances highlighted by three wins and 12 performances in the A final to kickoff the Speedo Centre Invite Friday night.  The Patriots notched 784 points to sit atop the team standings.

UC's relays left a strong mark on the field as they hit a pair of NAIA "A" standards.  The Patriots closed out the prelims with Sarah Zoellner, Megan Schoelein, Bella Hoare, and Ugne Takuseviciute teaming up to clock a 3:51.80 in the 400 medley relay.  That is the fastest time in the NAIA this season.

Cumberlands followed that up my posting the fastest 200 free relay in the NAIA to open finals.  Takuseviciute led off with a 24.39, before Zoellner (23.86), Victoria Niska (23.97), and Celin Ullern (23.56) all split under 24.00 seconds to clock a winning time of 1:35.78, which broke the meet record.

After posting the top-time in prelims, Juliana Lopez Morales pulled away from the field and touched the wall in 5:03.16 to win the 500 free.  Not only is that time is a career-best for Lopez Morales, it's also the top time in the NAIA.  Takuseviciute recorded a lifetime-best time of 5:07.09, which moves her into seventh in program history and earned a runner-up finish.  Mara Ellerkamp hit the provisional standard after clocking a 5:19.23 to place 12^th.

The Patriots depth and dominance was on display in the 200 IM as UC has six of the top-ten times, including sweeping the podium.  Sara Zoellner earned the win after touching the wall in 2:06.66 in the finals.  That time is the fourth fastest time this season and the sixth fastest time in program history.  Hoare edged out Helena Jarosz by .26 seconds for second as they went 2:08.12 and 2:08.38, respectively.  Alicja Sedlak (2:12.55), Megan Schoenlein (2:12.85) and Moa Nyblom (2:13.11) placed seventh through ninth.  Filippa Malmstrom (11^th, 2:12.27) and Bailey Amerman (16^th, 2:15.17) rounded out Cumberlands swimmers that clipped the NAIA provisional cut. 

Ullern led a group of five Patriots that hit NAIA provisional cuts in the 50 free.  Ullern notched a career-best time of 24.00 to place third, while Takuseviciute finished sixth after clocking a 24.32.  Niska (24.95), Lauren Cox (25.49), and Kathryn Harrison (25.17) also hit the standard.

The Patriots will return to the water Saturday, November 21^st, when they take part in day two of the Speedo Centre Invite.  Prelims are set for 10 a.m. with finals beginning at 6 p.m.

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