FRIDAY FINALS RESULTS
LANCASTER, Pa. -- Gracie McKee (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) posted the third-fastest 200-yard individual medley time in Kutztown University women's swimming history Friday night and the Golden Bears established eight season-best times to start the weekend on a high note at the Franklin & Marshall Invitational.
McKee continues to make waves every time she hits the pool for the Maroon and Gold. The junior from Boyertown, Pa., moved to sixth on KU's 200 IM top 10 list with a 2:11.36 in preliminary heats during the morning session before going nearly three full seconds quicker in the evening with a 2:08.40 to place third in the event.
McKee, the reigning PSAC Women's Swimmer of the Week, is well within striking distance of Jess Mape's 2:07.90 that ranks second with the PSAC Championships still a few months out.
While McKee was the lone individual to advance to the finals, Kutztown had plenty of encouraging performances in prelims.
The 50 freestyle was highlighted by season-best swims from
Keelie Walker (York, Pa./York Suburban) (25.96),
Ainsley Fischer (Newark, Del./Delaware Military Academy) (26.88) and
Jade Ware (Easton, Pa./Wilson Area) (27.79), who was making her debut in the sprint event.
Keara Bedson (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) cut almost one second off her previous top time in the 200 IM with a 2:31.63.
In the evening session, KU collected a pair of season-bests in the 200 free and 400 medley relays.
The team of Walker, McKee,
Emmarose DeCaro (Apex, N.C./Apex) and Fischer outlasted Millersville to win its 200 free relay heat in 1:43.04 and place 12th. Walker's 25.87 opening 50 split snuck inside the PSAC Championships cut time of 25.89. The 400 medley relay quartet of DeCaro,
Charlotte Owens (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg), McKee and Walker picked up more than 24 seconds to finish 10th overall in 4:09.33.
Kutztown ranks eighth of 11 in the team standings after the opening day, having amassed 115 points. The F&M Invitational continues through Sunday. Prelims on Saturday begin at 10 a.m., with finals once again set for 6 p.m.
FRANKLIN & MARSHALL INVITATIONAL
FRIDAY, NOV. 19, 2021
KUTZTOWN RESULTS
PRELIMS
200 Individual Medley
Gracie McKee (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown), 2:11.36 (PSAC), 6th all-time at KU
Charlotte Owens (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg), 2:25.73
Keara Bedson (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa), 2:31.63
Jocelyn Seidt (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), 2:34.59
50 Freestyle
Keelie Walker (York, Pa./York Suburban), 25.96
Ainsley Fischer (Newark, Del./Delaware Military Academy), 26.88
Jade Ware (Easton, Pa./Wilson Area), 27.79
FINALS
200 Freestyle Relay
12. Kutztown 'A' (
Keelie Walker (York, Pa./York Suburban),
Gracie McKee (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown),
Emmarose DeCaro (Apex, N.C./Apex),
Ainsley Fischer (Newark, Del./Delaware Military Academy)), 1:43.04
19. Kutztown 'B' (
Jade Ware (Easton, Pa./Wilson Area),
Charlotte Owens (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg),
Emma Meyer (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove),
Keara Bedson (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa)), 1:49.26
200 Individual Medley
3.
Gracie McKee (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown), 2:08.40 (PSAC), 3rd all-time at KU
400 Medley Relay
10. Kutztown 'A' (
Emmarose DeCaro (Apex, N.C./Apex),
Charlotte Owens (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg),
Gracie McKee (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown),
Keelie Walker (York, Pa./York Suburban)), 4:09.33
19. Kutztown 'B' (
Jocelyn Seidt (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson),
Keara Bedson (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa),
Jaylin Calistro (Temple, N.H./Contoocook Valley Regional),
Ainsley Fischer (Newark, Del./Delaware Military Academy)), 4:23.60
PSAC - Indicates PSAC qualifying time
