WCU Women Ahead of the Field

The Following is a press release from the West Chester Univeristy athletic department.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – West Chester University’s women’s swimming team posted a trio of runner-up performances and is way out in front of the field after day three of the 2012 PSAC Swimming Championships being held inside Cumberland Valley High School this weekend.
 
West Chester has 471 points and holds a 175-point lead on second-place Clarion (296), making it virtually impossible for the Golden Eagles to catch the Golden Rams. WCU’s women are on the verge of their sixth straight conference crown, 9 out of the last 11 and 10th overall. California (Pa.) is third with 279 points and Edinboro is fourth with 226.
 
Senior Leah Varvaro was runner-up in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 55.85 seconds that was good for an NCAA ‘B’ qualifying time. Teammate Christie Stern was 13th. Sophomore Megan Winslow was second in the 100 backstroke, putting up a time of 56.48. Varvaro was eighth in 1:01.12, and Jess Healy was 12th.
 
West Chester’s 800 free relay was second to Shippensburg in 7:37.52. That team consisted of Alexis Walley, Mia Barone, Codyanne Murtaugh and Kacie McNichol.
 
Lauren Keenan placed fourth in the 400 individual medley. She posted an NCAA ‘B’ time of 4:32.29. Teammate Lauren Carastro was sixth in 4:35.59, which was also a ‘B’ time. Kim Brownrigg also scored points by placing in 11th.
 
Barone placed seventh in the 200 free with a time of 1:55.72. Her time was also a ‘B’ time. Kathy Gast was 14th. Amelia Buckley placed third in the 100 breaststroke with a ‘B’ time of 1:04.97. Teammate Kendall Somer was seventh in 1:06.5 and hit a ‘B’ time as well. Dani Dougherty won the consolation final to place ninth.
 
The final day of the 2012 PSAC Swimming Championships gets under way Sunday with the prelims at 10 a.m., followed by the finals at 5 p.m.