RESULTS

KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Gracie McKee (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) had to wait patiently for her first chance to swim competitively for Kutztown University.

She joined the Golden Bears prior to the 2020-21 season being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Saturday afternoon, she made her long-awaited debut by winning three events, setting two PSAC qualifying marks and the program's seventh fastest 100-yard backstroke and 400-yard individual medley times in a season-opening 118-72 victory for the Golden Bears over Lock Haven at the Keystone Pool.

McKee started her big day by teaming with Emmarose DeCaro (Apex, N.C./Apex), Charlotte Owens (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) and anchor Keelie Walker (York, Pa./York Suburban) to win the 200 medley relay in 1:56.45. The junior from Boyertown, Pa., then cruised to a near 20 second win in the 400 IM, breaking into KU's top 10 with a time of 4:49.87.

McKee established a PSAC qualifying time in the 400 IM and did so in the 100 back as well, also placing herself seventh on the program's all-time top 10 with a winning effort of 1:01.04, 4.9 seconds ahead of the Bald Eagles' Madison Griffin.

DeCaro joined her new teammate in winning three times for the Golden Bears (1-0, 1-0 PSAC). After being involved in the 200 medley relay, the North Carolinian went on to take the 200 freestyle in 2:10.10 and the 500 free in 6:03.25.

Kutztown got two more wins from veterans and one from a newcomer to finish off a meet in which it won 8-of-11 events. Walker, a senior, led a 1-2-3 Golden Bear finish in the 100 free with a time of 58.77. Ainsley Fischer (Newark, Del./Delaware Military Academy) followed at 1:00.35 and Owens was third at 1:00.80. Owens, another of the Bears' seniors, claimed the 100 breaststroke in 1:15.42 ahead of teammate Jade Ware (Easton, Pa./Wilson Area) (1:16.41).

Sophomore Jaylin Calistro (Temple, N.H./Contoocook Valley Regional), making her KU debut, won the 100 fly in 1:07.13.

Kutztown travels to East Stroudsburg Friday night for a tri-meet with the host Warriors and Cal U. The three teams will then turn around to swim at the Keystone Pool on Saturday, Oct. 30, at noon.
 

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KUTZTOWN RESULTS

200 Medley Relay
1. Kutztown 'A' (Emmarose DeCaro (Apex, N.C./Apex), Charlotte Owens (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg), Gracie McKee (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown), Keelie Walker (York, Pa./York Suburban)), 1:56.45
 
1000 Freestyle
2. Jocelyn Seidt (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), 12:27.91
 
200 Freestyle
1. Emmarose DeCaro (Apex, N.C./Apex), 2:10.10
2. Jade Ware (Easton, Pa./Wilson Area), 2:11.07
 
50 Freestyle
2. Keelie Walker (York, Pa./York Suburban), 26.74
3. Ainsley Fischer (Newark, Del./Delaware Military Academy), 27.31
 
400 IM
1. Gracie McKee (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown), 4:49.87, PSAC qualifying, 7th all-time at KU
3. Keara Bedson (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa), 5:29.57
 
100 Butterfly
1. Jaylin Calistro (Temple, N.H./Contoocook Valley Regional), 1:07.13
3. Jocelyn Seidt (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), 1:10.13
 
100 Freestyle
1. Keelie Walker (York, Pa./York Suburban), 58.77
2. Ainsley Fischer (Newark, Del./Delaware Military Academy), 1:00.35
3. Charlotte Owens (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg), 1:00.80
 
100 Backstroke
1. Gracie McKee (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown), 1:01.04, PSAC qualifying, 7th all-time at KU
4. Jaylin Calistro (Temple, N.H./Contoocook Valley Regional), 1:16.22
 
500 Freestyle
1. Emmarose DeCaro (Apex, N.C./Apex), 6:03.25
2. Jocelyn Seidt (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), 6:09.10
 
100 Breaststroke
1. Charlotte Owens (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg), 1:15.42
2. Jade Ware (Easton, Pa./Wilson Area), 1:16.41
4. Keara Bedson (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa), 1:18.46
 
200 Free Relay
2. Kutztown 'A' (Ainsley Fischer (Newark, Del./Delaware Military Academy), Jaylin Calistro (Temple, N.H./Contoocook Valley Regional), Keara Bedson (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa), Jade Ware (Easton, Pa./Wilson Area)), 1:50.46