Down to Final Relay, Vanderbilt Ekes Out Win over Illinois

Tonner Debeer; Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Down to Final Relay, Vanderbilt Ekes Out Win over Illinois

In a meet that came down to the final relay, Vanderbilt’s A squad eked out a win by .15 seconds to clinch a 134-128 victory over Illinois on Saturday.

The Commodores’ foursome of Gray Almasi, Tonner Debeer, Chantal Jordan and Eleanor Beers finished in a time of 1:34.20, edging out Illinois’ A squad by .15 seconds. The distance was created by the middle two swimmers, and Beers split 23.40 on the end to hold off a charge by Illinois’ Abby Cabush (22.90 split). The 11 points was enough to see the Commodores safely to a nonconference home win.

SEC Swimming

The meet was close all day, exemplified by the tie for victory in the 50 freestyle by Almasi and Illinois’s Lily Olson in 23.84 seconds.

Debeer played a big role in amassing points for Vandy. She swam on the winning 200 medley relay (with Abby Burke, Lizzy Colwell and Almasi). She and Burke went 1-2 in the 100 backstroke, Debeer winning in 56.30. And she also won the 100 fly (55.33) in a 1-2 with teammate Kailia Utley. Utley was also second in the 200 fly.

Mercedes Traba won the 1,000 freestyle and finished second in the 500. Francesca Neubauer won the 200 breaststroke and was second in the 100.

“This was a team win today,” Vanderbilt coach Jeremy Organ said. “Everyone contributed to put us in a situation where the last relay takes the meet.”

Big Ten Swimming

Cara Bognar led Illinois by winning the 200 fly and 500 free. Sydney Stoll displayed exemplary range in winning the 200 back (ahead of teammate Hannah Aegerter), the 100 IM and finishing second in the 1,000 free. Cabush won the 100 free and 200 free. Divya Kale won the 100 breast.

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