Emma Saunders Wins Two On Night Two of Virginia Tech Invitational

09-12-14 MWSD vs Delta State Emma Saunders Photo by Amelia J. Brackin

CHRISTIANBURG – Emma Saunders was one of the stars of the second day of competition at the Virginia Tech Invitational, winning two events for Alabama.

Saunders’ first win came in the 200 freestyle, which she won handily with a 1:46.40. That puts her in the top 10 in the current collegiate standings, though that could change depending on the results from meets elsewhere in the country tonight. Gabrielle Bishop took second behind Saunders with a 1:48.47, and Meredith Vay of South Carolina was third with a 1:48.50.

Saunders returned to win the 100 backstroke with a 54.01. The win was a bit closer than her 200 free victory, as Holly Harper of Virginia Tech nearly clipped her at the finish with a 54.22. Addy Ferguson got Ohio on the podium with a 54.47.

Alabama won the 200 medley relays tonight. The men got within a second of the 200 medley “A” cut for the NCAA championships with a 1:26.62. Virginia Tech took second with a 1:27.49, and Alabama’s “B” team was third in 1:28.00. On the women’s side, the Crimson Tide won the 200 medley with a 1:39.89, taking over the lead from Virginia Tech on the freestyle leg. The Hokies’ A team placed second with a 1:39.97 while the B team was third with a 1:41.01.

In the men’s 800 free relay, South Carolina led from start to finish, posting a 6:29.80 to Virginia Tech’s 6:31.84. Alabama was third with a 6:39.11. In the women’s 800 free relay, Virginia Tech took the win with a 7:14.70, beating the 7:19.36 from Alabama and the 7:23.76 from Villanova.

Alabama got four more individual event wins. Connor Oslin nearly took down Ryan Murphy’s nation-leading time of 47.17 in the 100 back, winning with a 47.19. Collin Higgins of Virginia Tech gave Oslin a race, finishing second with a 47.37. Jonathan Boland of South Carolina was third with a 48.54.

Kaylin Burchell joined a small group of ladies under the 1:00 barrier so far this season in the 100 breast with a 59.67 to win the event over the 1:01.00 by Weronika Paluszek and the 1:01.10 by Mackenzie Stewart, both of Virginia Tech. Mia Nonnenburg won the women’s 400 IM with a 4:12.89 over Virginia Tech’s Fiona Donnelly (4:14.46) and Victoria Mitchell of South Carolina (4:15.05).

Brett Walsh won the 100 fly for Alabama with a 47.23, leading a 1-2 finish ahead of Kristian Gkolomeev and his 47.84. Morgan Latimer of Virginia Tech was close behind for third with a 48.13.

South Carolina won three events tonight, led by the 53.36 by Kevin Leithold in the men’s 100 breast to rank in the top five collegiately at this point in the season. Pavel Romanov of Alabama took second with a 54.08 ahead of teammate Anton McKee and his 54.16. Marwhal El Kamash took the 200 free in 1:36.88, beating out Alex Gray of Alabama (1:37.37) and Owen Burns of Virginia Tech (1:37.88).

Tom Peribonio won the men’s 400 IM, giving the Gamecocks a win in a time of 3:51.41. Robert Own of Virginia Tech was second with a 3:52.78 while Bryce Kananowicz of South Carolina took third with a 3:52.94.

Host Virginia Tech celebrated a 1-2 finish from Maggie Gruber and Klaudia Nazieblo in the women’s 100 fly with times of 53.91 and 54.44, respectively. Laura Dawson of Ohio attempted to break up the pair but settled for third with a 54.73.

Results: Virginia Tech Invitational

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use