The Emory University women's swimming & diving team showcased its depth on Thursday, moving into sole possession of first place at the University Athletic Association in Chicago.
The Eagles saw 16 swimmers qualify for individual finals on the second day of meet, with Emory totaling six All-UAA performances including one event title and four runner-up finishes. Following Thursday's action, the Eagles seized the team lead with 635 points and lead UChicago by 47 points heading into Friday's slate. NYU rounds out the top three on the women's side with 558 team points.
Sophomore Isabel Huang was the Emory headliner on Thursday as she captured her first-ever individual conference championship. Huang claimed the UAA crown in the 200 IM with a winning time of 2:05.11. Junior Rosalie Gaudiani joined her in the A final and took seventh with a time of 2:06.57.
Elsewhere, seniors Penelope Helm and Sloane Donovan took second and third, respectively, for the second straight year in the 500 Freestyle with the Eagles sending eight swimmers to comprise the 24 spots in the three finals. Helm earned silver with a time of 4:55.72 with Donovan touching at 4:56.74. Junior Jada Chatoor represented the Eagles as well in the A final, placing sixth at 4:58.29.
Sophomore Jane Sanderson paced five Eagles in the championship and consolation finals in the 50 Freestyle, finishing as the runner-up with a time of 23.64. Sophomore Penny Celtnieks was fifth in the championship final at 23.86 while classmate Claire DePiero reached the podium in eighth at 24.05.
The Eagles racked up two more runner-up finishes in the relay events on Thursday with Celtnieks, DePiero, Sanderson and senior Moshelle Borjigin opening the night in the 200 Freestyle, going for 1:33.69, before DePiero, senior Megan Jungers, freshman Katie Cohen and junior Caroline Zhu concluded the evening in the 400 Medley Relay, combining for a time of 3:43.70.
Emory looks to extend its lead on day three of the UAA Championship with a Friday slate featuring the 200 Medley Relay, 400 IM, 100 Fly, 200 Free, 100 Breast, 100 Back and women's 3-meter diving.
