Cobbers Kickoff Multi-Team Schedule At U of M

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (12/06/14)—Concordia started the multiple-team invitational meet portion of its schedule and came away with several solid swims at the Jean Freeman Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota.

The meet featured a trio of NCAA Division I schools as well as most of the teams from the MIAC. There were 14 totals schools at the invitational and hundreds of swimmers from around the area.

The Cobbers had many top 50 finishes at the meet with most swimmers posting season best times.

Madeline Johnson and Siri Berry showed the way for the Cobber crew at the meet. Both swimmers had the fastest times of any CC athlete in three different events in the meet.

Johnson led the Cobber contingent in the 200-yard backstroke, 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke while Berry was tops in the 50-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle.

Johnson broke into the top 30 in the 200-yard backstroke which was one of three top 30 finishes on the day for Concordia. She clocked a time of 2:18.40 which was three seconds faster than her previous season best mark. Johnson also swam a season best 2:07.50 in the 200-yard freestyle and a season best 1:03,63 in the 100-yard backstroke. She finished in the top 50 in all three events with all three events having in excess of 75 athletes.

Berry posted the top finish of any Cobber at the meet when she placed 26th in the 200-yard butterfly. Her time of 2:32.10 was almost eight seconds faster than her previous season best in the event. She also had a season best mark in the 100-yard freestyle where she broke the 1-minute mark for the first time this year. Berry touched the wall in 58.84. She also clocked a 27.41 in the 50-yard freestyle.       

The third top 30 finish belonged to Abbey Benson who swam a season-best time of 2:37.37 in the 200-yard butterfly and finished in 29th place.

Ann Marie O'Connell had a pair of top 50 finishes. She swam a 5:45.26 in the 500-yard freestyle and a 5:12.79 in the 400-yard individual medley. Both times were over five seconds faster than her previous season bests. She finished in the No.35 spot in the 400 IM.
 
Andrea Kittleson also did well in the 400-yard individual medley. She swam a 5:24.11 and came home in 39th place.

Kayla Rauchwarter was the lone Concordia diver at the meet. She scored 148.50 in the 1-meter competition.

The Cobbers will now have over a month break before getting back into competition. The next full multi-team meet for Concordia will come at the MSU Moorhead Dragon Invitational scheduled for Jan. 16-17.    

Cobber Individual Results at Jean Freeman Invite

500-yard Freestyle
- Ann Marie O'Connell – 5:45.26
- Katrina Teskey – 5:51.51
- Andrea Kittleson – 5:54.78
- Lily Johnson – 5:56.83
- Jordyn Olson – 5:56.88

200-yard IM
- Libby Hardwick – 2:29.80
- Abbey Benson – 2:36.52   

50-yard Freestyle
- Siri Berry – 27.41

200-yard Backstroke
- Madeline Johnson – 2:18.40
- Libby Hardwick – 2:21.39
- Katrina Teskey – 2:32.14

100-yard Breaststroke
- Andrea Kittleson – 1:20.28

200-yard Butterfly
- Siri Berry – 2:32.10
- Abbey Benson – 2:37.37

200-yard Feestyle
- Madeline Johnson – 2:07.50
- Ann Marie O'Connell – 2:09.33
- Lily Johnson – 2:13.43
- Jordyn Olson – 2:15.96  

400-yard IM
- Ann Marie O'Connell – 5:12.79
- Andrea Kittleson – 5:24.11
- Jordyn Olson – 5:26.10
- Abby Benson – 5:35.81

100-yard Freestyle
- Siri Berry – 58.84
- Madeline Johnson – 59.68
- Katrina Teskey – 59.82

100-yard Backstroke
- Madeline Johnson – 1:03.63
- Libby Hardwick – 1:03.96
- Lily Johnson – 1:11.18
- Katrina Teskey – 1:11.19

200-yard Breaststroke
- Andrea Kittleson – 2:55.01

100-yard Butterfly
- Siri Berry – 1:04.74
- Libby Hardwick – 1:06.76
- Abbey Benson – 1:12.97

1-Meter Dive
- Kayla Rauchwarter – 148.50