James Madison Douses Flames In Season Opener

Saturday, October 15

Harrisonburg, Va.

11 a.m.

James Madison University

168.5

125.5

Liberty

10/15/2016 3:04:00 PM | Swimming & Diving

@JMUSwimDive Final Meet Results Highlights Photo Gallery 2016-17 Schedule Meet Results

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison swimming and diving toppled Liberty, 168.5-125.5, in the Dukes's 2016-17 season opener Saturday afternoon in Savage Natatorium, delivering the Flames their first loss of the year. Liberty fell to 5-1 on the season as James Madison recorded its first victory in its season opener.

Madison claimed the top spot in eight of the 16 events, including stringing together three consecutive event wins, highlighted by a sweep on the 1-meter and 3-meter diving competitions.

Junior Quinn MacMillan earned the first top finish of the day for the Dukes in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:52.36. The New Britain, Pa. native also notched a victory in the 500 freestyle (5:01.61), finishing six seconds ahead of fellow Duke Claire Adkins as the Dukes swept the top two spots.

Katie Parker swept the 100 and 200 breaststroke events with 1:05.38 and 2:21.95 times, respectively. Freshman Bonnie Zhang earned her first event victory as a Duke with a 51.42 time in the 100 freestyle.
James Madison notched its final swim event victory when junior Abby Ortman (2:05.35), freshman Emma Gourdie (2:05.41) and senior MaryElizabeth Warhol (2:06.18) swept the top spots in the 200 backstroke.

The Dukes swept both diving competitions as freshman Carlyn McNeely claimed the top spot on the 3-meter dive with a score of 318.90 and senior Olivia Lehman tallied a 297.82 score on the 1-meter dive to win the event.

QUOTING COACH PEDERSEN
"Any time you can get a victory in a meet is a big plus. There is a lot of moving pieces that go on in a meet. We had a lot of things we were looking at, whether it was technique, race strategies or individual events. It was the first time we saw our freshman race for JMU. We were evaluating a lot of things along with just the wins and the losses. We have a lot to digest, but it was a really good first step. We are thrilled about the win over a quality opponent."

MCNEELY AND LEHAM POST ZONE A QUALIFYING SCORES
Freshman Carlyn McNeely made a splash in her James Madison debut, posting NCAA Zone A qualifying scores in both the 3-meter (318.90) and 1-meter (294.45) dives. Senior Olivia Lehman also posted a NCAA Zone A qualifying score on the 1-meter dive (297.82) and 3-meter dive (282.60).

PHOTO OF THE MEET - VIEW FULL GALLERY

Carlyn McNeely posted NCAA Zone A quailifying times in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives during Saturday's competition.

TOP PERFORMANCES - VIEW FULL RESULTS
200 Medley Relay – Ortman, Parker, Breeger, MacKenize Gring (2nd – 1:45.76)
1000 Freestyle – Kelly Long (2nd – 10:31.61)
100 Backstroke – Abby Ortman (2nd – 57.58)
100 Butterfly – Jillian Breeger (2nd – 57.94)
50 Freestyle – Bonnie Zhang (2nd – 24.15)
200 Butterfly – Courtney Clarke (2nd – 2:08.83)
200 IM – Katie Parker (2nd – 2:08.54)

TWEET OF THE MEET

Great team effort today by @JMUSwimDive Godwin was rocking! #GoDukes #DDP https://t.co/bsdi5QVGSw
— James Hickey (@PressBoxGuy) October 15, 2016

UP NEXT
The Dukes return to the pool on Saturday, Oct. 22 when James Madison travels to Boston, Mass. to compete in the Northeastern Tri-Meet. JMU will battle Colonial Athletic Association and host Huskies as well as New Hampshire beginning at noon.