SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana's Bryn Greenwaldt won the 50 free and the 800 free relay team earned conference championships Wednesday, the opening day of the NSIC Championships at Midco Aquatic Center in Sioux Falls. The Vikings, the reigning champions, are in first place with 244.5 points.

"We had a very good start to our meet," Augustana head coach Andrew Makepeace said. "These top four teams have a lot of talent and it will be tough through all four days. The ladies have responded with some great prelim swims. It's about making finals and making an impact in finals, so we did a great job today."
 
Greenwaldt earned her NSIC Championship in the 50 free in a time of 22.83, topping teammate Makoa Montgomery who touched the wall in 23.51 seconds. Joining the duo with an NCAA 'B' Cut time was Angelina Chan in fourth place in a time of 23.81.
 
The event had plenty of points to go around for AU as Meesha Montgomery placed 10^th in a time of 23.91 and Sofia Hein placing 13^th in 24.05 seconds.
 
The 800 free relay squad picked up the Gold medal with a time nearly two seconds faster than the runner-up squad. The team consisting of Maija Kangas, Anna Tindall, Hein and Amaya Street teamed up to finish in 7:37.21.
 
The Vikings' 200 medley relay team swam an unconventional lineup to an NCAA 'B' standard time of 1:41.71 while earning second place honors. The NSIC All-Conference performance was swam by leadoff Gracin Larson, second swimmer Nesrine Jelliti, Angelina Chan third and cleanup, Makoa Montgomery.
 
Meesha Montgomery placed runner up in the 200 IM as she touched the wall in 2:05.58 to garner 17 points for the Vikings. In the same event, Jelliti placed seventh in 2:08.84 and Anna Tindall eighth in 2:09.15. In the B Final, Street clocked in at 2:07.94 to place 10^th and earn nine points for the Vikings.

"Amaya was huge on day one," Makepeace added. "She stepped up and is on a roll. She was the catalyst in a lot of ways this evening in the 200 IM and anchoring the 800 free relay."
 
The 1,000 free saw Augustana score three swimmers led by Kangas with a time of 10:40.07. Leona Coha touched the wall in ninth place in a time of 10:46.21. The final scorer for AU was Payton Kollmorgen as she placed 15^th in 10:56.50.
 
Augustana's 244.5 points are ahead of second place Minnesota State who owns 205.5 points through five events.
 
The NSIC Championships continue on Thursday with a 10 a.m. prelims start and 5:30 p.m. finals start. Action is taking place in Midco Aquatic Center in Sioux Falls with live results and live video available at GoAugie.com/Live.

"It's a big day ahead," Makepeace continued. "The divers get their first chance to make a splash at the meet. We need them to do their thing to keep us all rolling and hopefully add to our lead."