BISMARCK, N.D. -- The 500-freestyle brought big points for Augustana swimming on the third day of the NSIC Championships Friday. Earning all-conference was senior Emma Miller placing third in a time of 5:00.50. Senior Taylor Beagle followed Miller closely touching the wall in 5.01.98, notching fourth place, with both times surpassing NCAA 'B' qualifying times. 

Also scoring for the Vikings in the event was freshman Ruth Huffman with an eighth-place finish in a time of 5:13.84. Junior Kelsey Gilbert and freshman Cailey Scott rounded out the scoring placing ninth and 12th respectively.

In the team race, St Cloud State is leading the way with 595 points. Sioux Falls follows closely with 579 points as Minnesota State is in third while the Vikings remain in fourth with a total of 457 points.

Senior Destini Oehlertz took the runner up spot in the 100-backstroke with a time of 56.96 improving on her school record. Also scoring in the 100-backstroke was freshman Chrislin Nieuwoudt with a time of 1:00.09.

Junior Micah Hudlet came away with points in the 100-breaststroke, placing seventh overall in a time of 1:07.09.

In the 200-yard butterfly, Huffman finished runner-up in a time of 2:07.99 bringing in big points for the Vikings. Also earning points was junior Abigail Magee finishing in eighth place in a time of 2:11.35.

Capping off the evening was the 800-freestyle relay where the Vikings had two podium finishes. The 'A' relay team of Miller, sophomore Kamryn Robarge, Beagle, and Oehlertz swam to a second-place finish in a time of 7:39.58. The 'B' relay team comprised of senior Linzie Kreizel, Gilbert, Hudlet, and Huffman had enough depth to snag the eighth spot on the podium in a time of 7:50.59.

Quotable

"It was a great day of racing for us." Head Coach Lindsie Micko said. "I am really proud of the ladies for staying tough and racing hard on day three. This is a long meet and we are getting a little bit better each day. It was great to finish the day with both of our relays on the podium." 

Saturday's trials will begin at 10 a.m. with the finals beginning at 1:00 p.m. Saturday will have the 100-individual medley, the 100-freestyle, the 200-backstroke, the 200-breaststroke, the 1650-freestyle and the 400-freestyle relay.

--GoAugie.com--