Rutgers Shines with Strong Performances at Big Ten Championships
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers had a standout day at the Big Ten Championships on Friday, adding two more podium finishes to their impressive tally. Divers Katerina Hoffman and Sephora Ford showcased their skills in the 3 Meter Dive finals, securing seventh and eighth places respectively. Overall, five Scarlet Knights advanced to the night session, with Bailee Sturgill making waves in the consolation finals for diving, and swimmers Anna Vlachou and Emilianna Gonzalez competing in the C Final of the 50 Free.
The day was marked by some remarkable performances, including two new top-ten entries in Rutgers' history books. Anna Vlachou, following her record-setting performance in the 100 butterfly, clocked a 22.37 in the 50 Free prelims, marking the second fastest time in program history.
Freshman Emilianna Gonzalez wasn’t far behind, swimming a 22.42, just shy of her personal best, and securing the third fastest time in the event for Rutgers. In the C Final, Vlachou finished fourth with a 22.45, while Gonzalez took eighth with a 22.71.
Angelica Bath also made her mark in the 100 Backstroke, setting a personal best of 54.09 in the prelims, the ninth fastest time in Rutgers history. Despite her efforts, she narrowly missed a spot in the C Final, finishing as the top alternate.
In 3 Meter Diving, the Scarlet Knights put on a show. Sephora Ford and Katerina Hoffman advanced to the finals, with Ford finishing sixth in prelims and Hoffman seventh.
In the finals, Hoffman scored a 315.65 for seventh place, while Ford scored 229.25 for eighth. Bailee Sturgill also impressed, finishing fourth in the consolation finals and 12th overall with a score of 282.10.
The 400 Yard Medley Relay team, consisting of Angelica Bath, Ana Hazlehurst, Anna Vlachou, and Emilianna Gonzalez, clocked a 3:38.94, securing 13th place.
Rutgers also competed in several other events, including the 100 Backstroke, 200 Breaststroke, 500 Freestyle, and 50 Freestyle during prelims.
Adding to the day's achievements, senior captain Katherine Lang was honored as one of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Honorees, highlighting her leadership and dedication.
With 265.5 team points, the Scarlet Knights currently sit in 11th place, ahead of Iowa, Penn State, and Illinois. As the final day of competition approaches, excitement builds for Saturday's events, which kick off at 11 a.m.
Eastern. The lineup includes prelims in the 200 IM, 100 Freestyle, 200 Butterfly, and 200 Backstroke, along with the finals of the 1650 freestyle, platform diving, and the 400 Freestyle Relay.