Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Liberty & UNC Asheville
Lynch Wins Twice as Thundering Herd Earns Split
1/13/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Final Stats
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Marshall Swimming & Diving put together a 32-6 run in the final two individual events but fell in the final relay, dropping a decision to Liberty, 160-140. Marshall simultaneously competed against UNC Asheville, winning 15 of the 16 events in a 222-72 victory.
The Herd was led by Anna Lynch, who ran away with both distance events, posting a season-best time in the 1000 Free (10:17.70). Madison Young won on both diving boards. Other winners on the day were Catherine Bendziewicz, (100 Free, 51.51), and Emma Lockyer, (400 IM, 4:26.87).
Liberty started the meet with a 1-2 finish in the 200 Medley Relay, but Marshall's distance crew swept the 1000 Free to tie the meet after two events. Liberty then built a 45-point lead by winning the next 5 events before Young broke the streak with a victory in 1-Meter Diving. Bendziewicz then picked up Marshall's third win on the day in the 100 Free. Liberty won the next two events to take the score to 121-86.
Down 35 points, the Thundering Herd roared back with sweeps of three of the next four events to cut the deficit to seven heading into the final event. However, Liberty finished first and second in the 400 Freestyle Relay to win the meet.
"I feel really good about my times today," Lynch said. "It's been a long time since we raced, and a lot of us had some good swims today, so I think that should help our confidence as we head into Conference."
"This is always a challenging time of the season, coming off of training camp and getting back into classes," said Marshall head coach Bill Tramel. "Once again, our effort was present, but some are still struggling with attention to race execution."
"The details that we have been working on for the past few months are starting to show up in our races and are making the difference between good swims and great swims," head assistant coach Kaitlyn Ferguson said. "Unfortunately, the opposite can be said for the details we have been neglecting. It is going to be extremely important to focus on these small nuances to ensure we wind up preforming the way we would like to at the end of the year."
"Even in the loss, we had some fantastic performances today," said Tramel. "Maggie (Stovall) was exceptional. She swam faster than at our mid-season rest meet and that's special. Rachael DePietro did the same with season-bests on both of her relay splits. Her two individual swims were excellent too."
"The unique thing is we now get to race Liberty again next weekend in Huntington. If we decide to concentrate on the details, I think the final score next week will be in our favor. It's not about our effort or ability. It's about our focus."
Marshall will host its only home meet of the season next Saturday at 11 a.m. against Liberty. Marshall's five seniors and two graduating juniors will be honored as they compete in their final home contest.
Players Mentioned
