GENEVA, Oh. -- In just its fourth year of existence, the Augustana University Swimming team has qualified two swimmers to the NCAA Division II Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, the NCAA Division II Women's Swimming and Diving Committee announced Wednesday.

"It's an exciting day for Augustana swimming," Head Coach Lindsie Micko said. "I'm very proud of Taylor and Destini for the invitation to the NCAA Championships. Division II continues to get faster and I'm proud that we can represent Augustana for the third straight year."

Junior Taylor Beagle, the NSIC Swimmer of the Year, had two times hit the "B" standards in the 1000-yard freestyle and the 1650-yard freestyle. This is Beagle's third year qualifying in the 1650-yard freestyle. Senior Destini Oehlertz will be joining Beagle achieving a "B" standard in the 50-yard freestyle. 

Beagle, a Lead, South Dakota, native placed first in the 400 IM, 1000-yard freestyle, and the 1650-yard freestyle at the NSIC Championships and was also named Swimmer of the Meet. Now a three-time qualifier, Beagle became the first Viking to earn All-America honors in last year's meet. 

Oehlertz, a Lauren, Iowa, native holds three school records for Augustana, the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, and 200-yard freestyle. Two of those came earlier this season at the Augustana Sioux Falls Invitational where Oehlertz swam her "B" standard in the 50-yard free in a time of 23.07 good enough to rank her 11th in Division II. Oehlertz also claimed a spot in the 100-yard freestyle with her time of 51.16.

The Championships will be held in Geneva, Ohio, at the SPIRE Institute-Aquatic Center on March 11-14.

--GoAugie.com--