LOS ANGELES - The LMU Women's Swim Team, who on Tuesday night learned that their program was one of six being cut by the university, rallied in front of a standing room only crowd to dominate their final dual meet of the season against conference rival Westmont, winning by a margin of 196-66.
Once the swimmers took the blocks, it was all LMU from start to finish as the Lions' A & B relay teams placed 1-2 in the opening 200 Medley Relay and finished the meet with another 1-2 placing in the 400 Freestyle Relay.
In between the relay events, the Lions won 10 of 12 individual events with Shaw and
Natalie Hogenboom recording double wins. Shaw touched first in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly events while Hogenboom easily won the 200 butterfly and 500 freestyle. Other Lions taking a victory lap were
Erin Kau (1650 freestyle),
Bella Flaminio (200 freestyle), Nguyen (100 backstroke),
Holly Lehr (100 Free),
Lydia Hawthorne (200 breaststroke) and
Lia Murray (200 backstroke). In six of these events, the Lion's swept the first three places, earning a 16-3 point advantage in each event to contribute to the lopsided victory.
"This was a very emotional day for our team," noted LMU's head coach,
Bonnie Adair. "We understandably had a couple of dark days since finding out Tuesday night from our athletic director that our program was being cut. We met as a team Thursday afternoon to encourage our swimmers to focus on bringing their best selves to the pool for the short time we have left in our season."
The team did just that at the meet on Saturday spurred on by parents, alumni and student-athletes from across the university. "This was one of the most inspirational moments of my 20-year career at LMU and I am so proud of this team," continued Adair. "The Westmont program is growing fast, and they have some very talented swimmers, but this was our team's day in our home with our supporters and our swimmers wanted to send a message that we are not done yet."
Following the meet, Lion swimmers and their families gathered for a lunch at the pool to honor their seniors who all reminisced about their four years at LMU.
The Lions return to heavy training for another week before starting their taper in preparation for the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference Championship. The four-day championship event will be held at East Los Angeles College on Wednesday, February 14 through Saturday, February 17.
Lion Sweeps:
200 Freestyle
Bella Flaminio, LMU
Mackenzie Kawashiri, LMU
Ryann Dorris, LMU
100 Backstroke
Bebe Choroser, LMU
Ashley Deabler, LMU
200 Butterfly
Natalie Hogenboom, LMU
50 Freestyle
100 Freestyle
Bella Flaminio, LMU
200 Backstroke
