Lancers Go the Distance

Friday, January 5

Riverside, Calif.

12:00 PM

California Baptist University

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps

Photo by: Andrew Shortall

1/5/2018 4:19:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

RESULTS

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Less than a week into her arrival at California Baptist University, mid-year transfer Buse Topcu made her Lancer debut in a distance dual with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Topcu, a freshman from Turkey, set two new meet and Lancer Aquatics Center records in her first event to highlight CBU's 142-98 win over the Athenas on Friday afternoon. She won the 1650-yard freestyle in 16 minutes, 48.51 seconds to shatter the previous record of 17:03.57 and clocked in at 10:08.00 through 1000 yards to break the previous pool best of 10:19.75.

Both of Topcu's times were good for NCAA Division II consideration times and not far off the automatic times of 9:57.67 and 16:43.45 in the 1000 and 1650 frees.

"Topcu is the story of the day," Coach Rick Rowland said. "She did all that not rested and swimming yards for the first time in an event. She will be a nice boost and add some more depth to our team."

Sofia Petrenko updated CBU's meet and pool records in the 300 individual medley, as well, when she won her event 3:22.82. Emily Longfellow (3:23.09) and Alex Wolf (3:27.21) followed in second and third to give the Lancers a medal sweep in the event, while Mackenzie Mergel also placed second in the 1650 free (17:51.80) behind Topcu.

Despite being the first meet back from Christmas break, the Lancers showed no signs of rust.

"[During our vacation period,] we have been swimming and doing dry land workouts about seven hours a day," Rowland said. "We are really tired, but we had some really good performances despite all that. I am very happy."

There was big news on the boards, as well, as both Savannah Uhlir and Janae Jizmejian qualified for the Division II Championships. It secures all three Lancer divers a spot at the national competition. Uhlir took first place on the 3-meter board with a six-dive score of 265.43 points, while Jizmejian took second on 1-meter and qualified with 265.27 points. Uhlir also placed third on 1-meter (250.95).

"Janae has an injury and gutted it out today, to see her fight through that is encouraging as a coach. She's put the work in and got the results," Dive Coach Jeff Couto said. "Savannah has stepped into her potential, what she did today was not easy.

"From a team aspect, their attitudes are infectious when they're around each other and it has contributed to the success we've had."

There is little opportunity to rest, as CBU boarded a bus shortly after the dual to head to Arizona for the Grand Canyon Invite. The Lancers will take on GCU, Rice and New Mexico State in a quad meet Saturday at 1 p.m., giving them an opportunity to see how they stack up with three Division I and two future WAC opponents.

"We will recover today and get to swim some different, shorter events tomorrow," Rowland said. "We will try to hit some good times against some top Division I programs. We are excited to get ourselves ready for what next year looks like."

Just like in the 1650, Topcu and Mergel touched first and second in the 500 free, with times of 5:08.85 and 5:09.88.

With Topcu and Mergel taking top billing in distance events, it freed up Christie Halverson for other races. The senior took first place in both the 300 backstroke (3:21.41) and 200 free (1:55.50). Halverson also won the 500-medley relay alongside Alex Wolf, Petrenko and Jenna Washburn with a time of 5:19.82.

"Christie really got to show her versatility today in some new events," Rowland said. "She is really enjoying trying some different events this year."

Andrea Laliena, Melody Coleman, Emily Longfellow and Kylie Morrison gave CBU a one-two finish in the 500-medley relay with a time of 5:23.73. Coleman also nabbed a win in the 300 butterfly (3:28.80).

Grace Oeser, Taylor Dowden, Mergel and Topcu gave the Lancers the final win of the day in the 500 freestyle relay, as well, in 4:43.16.

Longfellow also took second in the 300 back (3:24.35), while Robin Smallwood (1:59.25) and Tessa Olson (2:00.42) came in third and fourth in the 200 free. Oeser also came in third in the 50 free (25.68). Wolf (3:55.11), Taylor Dowden (3:59.90), Coleman (4:01.85) and Smallwood (4:02.01) also swept second through fifth in the 300 breast.