Eagles swim season best against Olympians

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  • Photo by: Lindsay HartmannSophomore Abigail Lavallin, sophomore Elaina Lanson, junior Kristen Bates and junior Courtney Harrison of the GSU swimming and diving team all broke personal bests in the weekend’s national tournament.

Jack Magruder

Last weekend four Eagle swimmers posted at least one season-best time against Olympians at the AT&T Winter Nationals.

Among the swimmers were several Olympic gold medalists including Ryan Lochte, Missy Franklin, Katie Ledecky and Nathan Adrian.

Elaina Lanson qualified to participate in two events. She swam a season-best and finished tied for 41st in the 50 Free (23.36) and came in 61st in the 100 Free (52.58).

Both Kristen Bates and Abbie Lavallin competed in the 100 Breast, posting season-best times of 1:02.79 (30th place) and 1:05.31 (55th place).

Courtney Harrison posted her season-best in the 200 Breast with a time of 2:20.81.

“I am very proud of how Elaina, Abbie, Kristen and Courtney performed at Winter Nationals against some of the best national and international competition,” head coach Nathan Kellogg said in a press release.

“Everyone went at least one season-best time, and that was our goal coming in, so it was a tremendous experience for us,” Kellogg said.

This weekend’s meet was unique in that it is open to anyone who met the qualifying time standards. Competitors included high school students, club team members and representatives of many colleges.

The Eagles now have a month off and will hit the pool again on Jan. 5 with a full squad to start the spring portion of their schedule. They will travel to Fort Myers, Fla. to face conference foes Florida Gulf Coast University and Liberty University.