Morgantown, W. Va. – After a strong showing from the freshman on day one, the Wheeling University Women's Swimming returned to Mylan Park for day two of the West Virginia State Games. This time, it was the veterans that shined as they finished the event's final 19 races. This time, it was the veterans who shined as Sophomore
Jade Miller led the way.
Miller swam in two individual events, and was the first leg of both relay teams that swam on the day. Her best swim of the day came in her first individual event as she competed in the 200-Yard Backstroke. She competed against both DI and DII competition, and was the top DII finisher at the event, finishing eighth overall. She swam a 2:41.17 and earned 11 points for her team as she was the top scorer on the day for the Cardinals. Eight events later, Miller was back in the pool for the 200-Yard Individual Medley. She secured her fifth top 20 finish of the event, placing 16th at 2:20.47. Across the two-day event, Miller competed in five different events and finished top 20 in each against some top DI and DII talent.
Freshman
Gabby Baiano was back in the pool for another long distance race as she swam in the 500-yard freestyle. Baiano once again landed in the top 15, swimming a 5:35.92 as she got her second day started strong. She also added two short events to her list, finishing 27th in the 100-yard Freestyle (1:00.07) and 23rd in the 100-yard Butterfly (1:07.90).
Caitlin Oltman had her best day of the event on day two, with her best performance coming in the form of a 17th place finish in the 100-yard freestyle, where she swam a 57.79. She rounded out her individual day in the 100-yard Butterfly, where she finished 24th overall with a time of 1:07.95.
Meredith Mandal added two more top 20 finishes, bringing her total to three, to round out the top individual swimmers.
As was the case on day one, the Cardinals started and ended their days with relay events. First, the 400-yard Medley Relay team of Miller, Baiano, Mandal, and
Marra Johnson took the pool to open the event. They would place 12th overall with a time of 4:24.26 in a strong first run. The 200-Yard Freestyle Relay team wrapped things up in the pool with Miller, Oltman,
Maria Jones, and
Elizabeth Strange room the pool. They would end the day with a 12th place finish at 1:52.71.
The Wheeling University Women's Swimming team returns to action for their first home meet when they host Chatham on Friday, October 21st, at 1 PM.
