Three-Peat How Sweet

Wednesday, February 10

Grand Junction, Colo.

10:00 AM

California Baptist University

RMAC Championships

2/13/2016 8:21:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

RESULTS

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – With consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships in tow, California Baptist University had a huge target on its back heading into its third conference championship meet.

Even so, the Lancers were unflappable in winning their third-straight RMAC crown Saturday at Colorado Mesa, with 985 points. Lindenwood took second with 940.5 points.

"The women expanded on their lead last night and we did so even more today, as well," Coach Rick Rowland said. "It is pretty special to win three-straight championships."

The day was made even sweeter, as the CBU men won its first RMAC championship by just one point. For the first time since joining the conference in 2013-14, the Lancers swept both conference championships.

"We have a lot of excited kids, we have never won a double title on the men and women ever, not even in the PCSC," Rowland said.

CBU also came home with an individual honor, with Bre Schlenger being named the Diver of the Meet and Year after winning both boards at the event.

Things turned in the Lancers' favor for good during the 200-yard breaststroke. The Lancers placed four of the top-six finishers in the race for a huge boost to their lead over a Lindenwood squad that had be on their tail all week.

"We had separate team meetings last night and I called my shot," Rowland said. "I told the girls the 200 breast would be where we pulled away. That was really where we put it away on the women's side. That was probably the strongest event of the night."

Alena Rumiantceva won her fifth RMAC title in that race, with a time of two minutes, 15.82 seconds. Robin Smallwood (2:21.27), Melody Coleman (2:21.63) and Alyson Barnes (2:23.51) packed in from fourth to sixth place for CBU.

Yosita Hapsari put together two runner-up finishes to close out the meet. She was just out touched in the 100 free, with a time of 50.85, and then delivered a silver-medal moment in the anchor leg of 400-freestyle relay (3:28.37), with teammates Hailey Golden, Christie Halverson and Smallwood.

Halverson led another big event for CBU in the 1650 free, taking second in 17:11.37 with Courtney Chacon notching third (17:34.85). Tessa Olson rounded out the championship race in eighth (17:53.94).

Kylie Mihld finished a great week, which boosted the Lancers' depth, by taking third in the 200 back (2:04.05). Andrea Laliena came up in fifth in the race (2:05.95). Smallwood delivered another top-six finish for CBU in the 100 free (52.62).