Canton, OH. - After weeks of preparation, the midseason meet is here as the Wheeling University Women's Swimming team took on day one of the Malone Invitational. The first day of the event featured the relay events and the 1650 Freestyle, with the Cardinals competing in two events on the night. The Cardinals picked up two top five finishes on the day as they got momentum on their side heading into the final two days of the event. 

The day began with the relay events, as the Cardinals took on the 200-Yard Freestyle relay, with two different teams competing on the night. The first of those two teams picked up the first top five finish on the night as Caitlin Oltman, Grace Moorley, Sophia Castillo, and Jade Miller made up the Cardinal's A team. Oltman got things started strong, swimming her 50 yards in 25.94 seconds before giving way to Moorley, who swam a 25.12 to catch up by .82 seconds. Sofia Castillo took on the third leg, swimming 25.87 seconds, before Jade Miller closed things out with the fastest time of the night, swimming a 24.99. Overall, the team placed 5th in the field, swimming a 1:45.47 to lead the way. 

The other top five finish on the day came in the only individual event as Gabby Baiano took on the 1650 Freestyle. The sophomore continued her success in the event, taking third place with a time of 18:13.99, finishing just six seconds off the mark of her best time from a season ago. She was just 10 seconds off the mark of the top swimmer on the day, Frostburg State's Mia Abruzzino, as she looks to continue her growth. The final group swimming on the day was the B Team of the 200-Yard Freestyle Relay as Marra Johnson, Baiano, Olivia Moyer, and Maria Jones. The group finished 12th in the field with a time of 1:46.21. 

The Wheeling University Women's Swimming team returns to action on day two of the Malone Midseason Invitational on Friday, November 17th, with preliminary events beginning at 9 AM.