Gardner-Webb Keeps Lead Going Into Final Day of Competition at Northeast Conference Champs

LANDOVER, Maryland, February 16. GARDNER-Webb extended its lead to more than 100 points after the second day of competition in the 2007 NEC Swimming and Diving Championships. The Lady Bulldogs have accumulated 499 points over 14 events to cushion their lead heading into the final day of competition. Georgia Southern trails with 397 points and Central Connecticut State currently holds the third position with 376 points. Not too far back in fourth place, Wagner looks to gain ground on the third day of the meet.

The Central Connecticut State 200 medley relay team consisting of Kristen Jurzynski (Seymour, CT/Holy Cross), Erin Crowley (), Lindsey Snyder (Winterport, ME/Bangor) and Rachel Brookman (Rocky Hill, CT/Rocky Hill) took the first relay gold for the Blue Devils in a time of 1:48.57. Gardner-Webb finished second in 1:48.64 and Howard claimed its first all-conference nod with a third place finish of 1:48.86.

Jurzynski claimed her second individual gold medal by winning the 400 individual medley in 4:29.31. The Central Connecticut junior won the 500 freestyle on the previous day. Wagner finished with the final places of the all-conference nods with freshman Melanie Rodriguez-Lapman (Chesire, CT/Chesire) placing second with a time of 4:34.31 and senior Kate Wilson (Brentwood, CA/Liberty) coming in third in 4:34.91.

On the night, the Blue Devils claimed their third-straight gold medal, as Brookman captured the title in the 100 fly, clocking in at 57.25. Current conference-record holder Jess Radka (Reading, PA/Holy Name) from Wagner finished second (57.81) and Howard's Nadya Nicholas (Oceanside, CA/Oceanside) captured the bronze (57.87).

Gardner-Webb seized the top three slots on the 200 freestyle with senior Terra Wilson (Potter Valley, CA/Deep Valley Christian) taking the gold in a time of 1:48.32. Wilson's swim of 1:46.72 during consolation finals set a new meet record and also was an NCAA "A" qualifier. Teammate Kelly Gueltig (Miamisburg, OH/Ridgeville Christian) clocked in at 1:53.02 for second place, and Grace Whiteside (Knoxville, TN/Berean Christian) provided some outside smoke for the Bulldogs, finishing third from lane eight in a time of 1:54.17.

Georgia Southern's first placing on the day came in the 100 breaststroke, with two Eagles placing in the top three. Freshman Mackenzie Garrot (Fayetteville, SC/Starr's Mill) won the event in 1:05.64 while teammate Ashley White (Charlotte, NC/ South Mecklenberg) came in third (1:07.81). Gardner-Webb's Mallory Baxter (Taylors, SC/Eastside) was sandwiched in, placing second by touching the wall at 1:07.71.

Central Connecticut's Snyder claimed the 100 backstroke in 57.94. Radford's first all-conference nod came from Kelly Wallace (Yorktown, VA/Tabb), who earned the silver medal in the event (58.12). GWU's Whitney Hooley (Apple Creek, OH/Wooster) finished third in 58.55.

In the final event, the 800 freestyle relay, Gardner-Webb's relay consisting of Wilson, Heather Roka (Ft. Myers, FL/ Ft. Myers), Whiteside and Gueltig established a new meet record of 7:32.50. The previous record was set at last year's competition, including all four same legs. Wagner finished second in 7:41.59.

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