Pioneers Capture Team Crown at GC Invitational

The Grinnell College women's swimming and diving team held off Luther College to capture the team title of the Grinnell Invitational this past weekend. The Pioneers finished with 510 total team points, 82 points ahead of the Norse.

The Pioneers had a successful weekend with the relay teams, capturing three champions and a pair of runner-up finishes. The 200 freestyle relay "A" team of Erin Croco '07, Julia McHugh '07, Chloe Moryl '10, and Valerie Stimac '09 got the ball rolling with a second-place finish in a time of 1:42.93. The 800 freestyle relay "A" team, consisting of Allie Kossoy '08, Alex Peitz '10, Amanda Keledjian '08, and Meghan McDoniel '10, also brought home a runner-up finish in a time of 8:21.79.

The 400 medley relay "A" team (McHugh, McDoniel, Amy Hadow '10, and Stimac) was champions with a time of 4:10.95, while the same group teamed up to win the 200 medley relay in a time of 1:52.98. Croco, McHugh, McDoniel, and Stimac then teamed up to win the 400 freestyle relay in a time of 3:43.57.

Individually, McDoniel captured the title in the 200 IM (2:16.59) and the 100 breaststroke (1:11.32) before placing fourth in the 200 breaststroke (2:37.22) and third in the 200 freestyle (2:01.86).

Stimac took third in the 200 IM (2:18.04) and second in the 100 freestyle (56.32) before placing fourth and fifth in the 50 and 200 freestyles, respectively. McHugh was champion of the 200 backstroke (2:15.10) before swimming to a runner-up finish in the 100 backstroke (1:02.44). She also placed fourth in the 100 freestyle (57.30).

Peitz brought home a pair of top-five finishes for the Pioneers, placing fourth in the 500 freestyle (5:32.47) and a fifth in the 100 freestyle (2:22.77). Keledjian took fourth in the 100 butterfly for Grinnell, finishing with a time of 1:04.72.

The diving competition was also strong for the Pioneers. Maggie Connolly '07 took fifth in the 1-meter portion (326.85) with Andie Schrage '08 (325.60) and Jordan Allison '09 (287.00) taking sixth and seventh, respectively. Kelly Eldridge finished in 10th for the Pioneers. The 3-meter competition saw Connolly take fourth (303.40), while Schrage, Allison, and Eldridge took sixth, eighth, and 10th, respectively.

Grinnell will be back in action this Friday evening when they travel to Luther for a dual meet beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Friday's Finals Results
Saturday's Finals Results