Marshall University Athletics
Wednesday, February 14
Orlando, Fla.
4 PM
Marshall University
vs
Sun Belt Conference Championships - Day 1
Photo by: Cody Linn
Marshall S&D Records Historic First Day at SBC Championships
2/14/2024 9:06:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Herd wins first relay at a conference championship meet in program history
Results (PDF) | Team Scores (PDF) | Championship Fund
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Marshall University Swimming and Diving team had a historic day in the pool on day one of the Sun Belt Conference Women's Swimming and Diving Championships in Orlando.
The Herd took two of the first three events at the event, led by the 800 Freestyle Relay team of Molly Warner, Madeline Hart, Audrey West and Eszter Laban becoming the first conference championship winning relay team in program history.
"What a night for this group," Marshall Swimming & Diving head coach Ian Walsh said at the conclusion of day one. "Anytime you walk away winning two of three events contested you are in a great spot. Both relays are now second all-time in program history, with our 200 Medley Relay just missing the school record by just .14 seconds."
The day kicked off with the 200 Medley Relay. MU's Mia McBride, Paige Banton and Madeline Hart and Klava Katayama combined to swim the event in 1:39.66. The time marked the second fastest in the event in program history.
"Team Diving is a new event in the NCAA format and we've won two years in a row, our first being last season in the Missouri Valley Conference. To defend a title is really tough to do," Walsh said about the team capturing the SBC Team Diving crown.
Team Diving followed with Grace Kelsheimer, Alaina Laster and Larissa Munksgard hitting the boards for The Herd. The team successfully defended its title from the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference Championships with a score of 232.90, besting second-place Georgia Southern by over two points.
"We have never won a relay in our 21 years of the program. To do it this year in the inaugural year of the SBC was really special," Walsh said about the team's performance in the 800 Freestyle Relay. "Molly led off the relay with a personal best split and is fourth all-time in program history."
Marshall's time of 7:17:61 was second fastest in the event in program history as the captured its first relay win at a conference championship meet.
"The staff is excited for the rest of the team to compete tomorrow!"
RESULTS
200 Medley Relay
2nd – Mia McBride, Paige Banton, Madeline Hart, Klava Katayama (1:39.66)
Team Diving
1st – Marshall (Grace Kelsheimer, Alaina Laster, Larissa Munksgard) (232.90)
800 Freestyle Relay
1st – Molly Warner, Madeline Hart, Audrey West, Eszter Laban (3:28.86)
UP NEXT
Marshall is set for day two at the Sun Belt Conference Championships on Thursday with Prelims beginning at 10 a.m.
To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall swimming & diving, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall swimming & diving.
For the latest information on Marshall swimming & diving, follow on X @HerdSwimDive and Instagram at @HerdWSwimDive and online at HerdZone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Marshall University Swimming and Diving team had a historic day in the pool on day one of the Sun Belt Conference Women's Swimming and Diving Championships in Orlando.
The Herd took two of the first three events at the event, led by the 800 Freestyle Relay team of Molly Warner, Madeline Hart, Audrey West and Eszter Laban becoming the first conference championship winning relay team in program history.
"What a night for this group," Marshall Swimming & Diving head coach Ian Walsh said at the conclusion of day one. "Anytime you walk away winning two of three events contested you are in a great spot. Both relays are now second all-time in program history, with our 200 Medley Relay just missing the school record by just .14 seconds."
The day kicked off with the 200 Medley Relay. MU's Mia McBride, Paige Banton and Madeline Hart and Klava Katayama combined to swim the event in 1:39.66. The time marked the second fastest in the event in program history.
"Team Diving is a new event in the NCAA format and we've won two years in a row, our first being last season in the Missouri Valley Conference. To defend a title is really tough to do," Walsh said about the team capturing the SBC Team Diving crown.
Team Diving followed with Grace Kelsheimer, Alaina Laster and Larissa Munksgard hitting the boards for The Herd. The team successfully defended its title from the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference Championships with a score of 232.90, besting second-place Georgia Southern by over two points.
"We have never won a relay in our 21 years of the program. To do it this year in the inaugural year of the SBC was really special," Walsh said about the team's performance in the 800 Freestyle Relay. "Molly led off the relay with a personal best split and is fourth all-time in program history."
Marshall's time of 7:17:61 was second fastest in the event in program history as the captured its first relay win at a conference championship meet.
"The staff is excited for the rest of the team to compete tomorrow!"
RESULTS
200 Medley Relay
2nd – Mia McBride, Paige Banton, Madeline Hart, Klava Katayama (1:39.66)
Team Diving
1st – Marshall (Grace Kelsheimer, Alaina Laster, Larissa Munksgard) (232.90)
800 Freestyle Relay
1st – Molly Warner, Madeline Hart, Audrey West, Eszter Laban (3:28.86)
UP NEXT
Marshall is set for day two at the Sun Belt Conference Championships on Thursday with Prelims beginning at 10 a.m.
To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall swimming & diving, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall swimming & diving.
For the latest information on Marshall swimming & diving, follow on X @HerdSwimDive and Instagram at @HerdWSwimDive and online at HerdZone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
---HerdZone.com---
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
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