INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Another All-American relay was the highlight as the Ursinus College women's swimming team returned to the pool for the third day of competition at the NCAA Championships on Friday.
Freshman Sophie May, senior Sydney Gundersen, senior Meggie Leitz, and junior Peyten Lyons placed 15th in the 800 free relay to snag honorable mention All-America laurels, the third Bears relay squad in as many nights to do so. The quartet's time of 7:36.80 was the seventh-fastest of the morning session, with the eight top relays in action during the evening.
With four more points, the Bears now have 18 heading into Saturday's finale and moved up one spot to 23rd in the team standings.
Lyons has been involved in all three All-American relays for Ursinus, also taking part in the 200 medley and 400 medley editions. May and Gundersen each garnered their second certificate, and Leitz joined them with her second overall All-America honor and first as a member of a relay; she placed third in the 200 fly at last year's meet to become the first Ursinus swimmer to medal at the national championships.
Leitz and junior Clara Baker both competed in the 200 fly prelims on Friday morning. Leitz placed 22nd (2:05.40), while Baker was 27th (2:07.13). Leitz was just .37 seconds behind the 16th-place finisher.
Lyons tied for 27th in the 100 back prelims (57.05).
Looking for a strong finish, Lyons and Leitz will both compete in the 200 back prelims on Saturday morning; Leitz is seeded 20th and Lyons 41st. Senior Olivia Tierney is seeded 31st in the 200 breast, while the 400 free relay squad is slotted 26th.
