CARLISLE, Pa. -- Kutztown University's Gracie McKee (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) captured the bronze medal in the 100-yard backstroke, her third straight top-three finish in the event, to highlight the Golden Bears efforts on Friday at the PSAC Championships inside the Keystone Aquatic Center.

McKee, who took bronze in 2022 and silver in 2023, was in a battle for silver with West Chester's Anna Evans in the last 25 yards. IUP's Kasha Stokes took home the gold in 55.65, with Evans edging McKee for the runner-up spot by six-hundredths of a second (56.80 to 56.86). McKee's time was just over two-tenths off her school record of 56.60.

Annamarie Rodier (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape) had another strong showing, reaching the B Final in the 500-yard freestyle. The sophomore turned in the 13th fastest time in prelims (5:11.65), but picked up more than two seconds in the finals to finish 10th overall in a season-best 5:09.25.

In the only relay of the evening, McKee teamed with Birta Smaradottir (Mosfellsbær, Iceland/Commercial College of Iceland), Ana Soto (Hamburg, N.J./Vernon Township) and Frannie Pease-Wingenter (Goodyear, Ariz./Millennium) to take ninth in the 200 medley relay. The Golden Bears' time of 1:49.72 was a season-best by a half second and moved the quartet from seventh to sixth on KU's all-time top 10 list.

The Maroon and Gold remain 10th in the team standings, now with 261 points. KU put distance between itself and 11th place California (Pa.), while remaining within striking distance of ninth-place East Stroudsburg (268.5 pts.). West Chester (1265 pts.) holds a commanding lead over second-place IUP (683.5) heading into the final day of competition on Saturday.

Saturday's events include the 100 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 1650 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay. McKee is the defending PSAC champion in the 200 backstroke and comes into this year's event seeded second. Prelims once again start at 10 a.m., with finals slated to begin at 5 p.m.
 

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2024 PSAC SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Feb. 16, 2024 | Keystone Aquatic Center | Carlisle, Pa.
 
KUTZTOWN FRIDAY RESULTS
All distances in yards

FRIDAY, FEB. 16
Prelims – 10 a.m.
 
500 Freestyle (36 entries)
13. Annamarie Rodier (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape), 5:11.65, B Final Qualifier
 
100 Backstroke (48 entries)
4. Gracie McKee (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown), 57.02, A Final Qualifier
42. Frannie Pease-Wingenter (Goodyear, Ariz./Millennium), 1:04.16
 
100 Breaststroke (49 entries)
29. Jade Ware (Easton, Pa./Wilson Area), 1:09.26
34. Tatum Rothermel (Halifax, Pa./Halifax), 1:09.63
40. Birta Smaradottir (Mosfellsbær, Iceland/Commercial College of Iceland), 1:10.52
 
200 Butterfly
None
 
Finals – 6 p.m.
 
200 Medley Relay (12 teams)
9. Kutztown 'A' (Gracie McKee, Birta Smaradottir, Ana Soto, Frannie Pease-Wingenter), 1:49.72, 40 pts., 6th all-time at KU
 
500 Freestyle (8 entries | 9th-16th)
10. Annamarie Rodier (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape), 5:09.25, 17 pts.
 
100 Backstroke (8 entries | 1st-8th)
3. Gracie McKee (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown), 56.86, 27 pts., All-PSAC Third Team
 
100 Breaststroke
None
 
200 Butterfly
None