CBU Challenges Bakersfield

Saturday, November 4

Riverside, Calif.

12:00 PM

California Baptist University

Bakersfield

Photo by: Andrew Shortall

CBU Challenges Bakersfield

11/4/2017 4:43:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

RESULTS

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- With its transition to NCAA Division I and the Western Athletic Conference looming, California Baptist University got a chance to show it's ready in a dual with future D-I and WAC foe Bakersfield on Saturday afternoon at the Lancer Aquatics Center.

The 14^th-ranked Lancers in Division II just fell to the Roadrunners on a score of 158.50-141.50. Coach Rick Rowland was impressed with the result, though, and witnessed a number of highlight performances that kept his team in it until the very end.

"Our team really rallied back and lost by 17 points to a very respectable Division I team," Rowland said. "We will be a more compete team by semester, but where we're sitting now, the women did really well."

CBU put together its best races in the 100-yard breaststroke, as Robin Smallwood, Alex Wolf and Amanda Loya secured first, second and fourth place for the Lancers. Smallwood took first in one minute 7.37 seconds, followed by Wolf (1:07.38) and Loya (1:08.76).

Mackenzie Mergel continued to excel in distance events and won the 1000 freestyle in 10:25.02 seconds. It was more than two-and-a-half seconds better than the D-II Championship consideration time (10:27.56).

Christie Halverson edged out Mergel in the 500 free with a time 5:05.90. It was also good for a consideration time under the 5:06.05 standard, while Mergel touched in 5:06.75 for second.

Emily Longfellow kept finding ways to win, as well, securing the 100 backstroke (58.58) and butterfly (58.13) titles. Andrea Laliena gave CBU a one-three finish by taking third in the 100 back (59.48).

"Longfellow has been consistently winning events for us and we have been diversifying her events and moving her around where we need her," Rowland said.

Emily Dunkerson won both diving events for CBU, with 246 points on the 1-meter and 254.25 points at the 3-meter board. Millie Moro took third on the 3-meter (221.93) and Uhlir was fourth (215.63). They switched on the 1-meter with Uhlir in third (203.85) and Moro in fourth (197.55).

"Dunkerson continues to remain consistent, beating Division I divers every time we go against them," Dive Coach Jeff Couto said. "I anticipate her getting better and better and better. It was really exciting to see our depth today."

There were a number of other runner-up finishes that scored big points for the Lancers on Saturday. Netali Bar second in 200 back (2:07.34), while Longfellow (2:09.77) took third and Laliena (2:10.41) fourth in the event.

Halverson went runner-up in the 200 free (1:55.46) and 400 individual medley (4:36.25), while Grace Oeser and Alex Wolf took second in 50 free (25.06) and 200 breast (2:23.26), respectively. The Lancers also took second in the 200-medley relay (1:50.63) and 400-free relay (3:33.42).

Wolf, Mergel, Longfellow and Oeser swam the free relay, while Laliena, Wolf, Anna Peter and Hannah Parson made up the medley team.

"There were so many races that came down to touch outs today," Rowland said. "The difference today was about closing speed coming down to the walls today and kids finishing strong with really good closing splits in multiple ways today. I can't be happier with how we swam and finished today."