Emory Women's Swimming & Diving Wins Ninth Consecutive NCAA Title

Emory Women's Swimming & Diving Wins Ninth Consecutive NCAA Title

From Emory University Athletics

Make it nine in a row as the Emory University Women's Swimming and Diving program captured its ninth-consecutive and 11th overall team national championship Saturday night at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Eagles used six event titles and 32 All-America finishes over the four-day meet to win the 2018 NCAA Division III Championship by 103 points over second-place Kenyon College. Emory's victory marks the 24th team national championship in the history of the department and joins former Women's Swimming and Diving championship teams in 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 to bring the walnut and bronze back to Atlanta.

In addition to the six event champions (three individual, three relay) and 32 All-America performances (28 individual, four relay), the Eagles set four NCAA DIII records and recorded an additional nine Honorable Mention All-America efforts.

Head Coach Jon Howell was named the Collegiate Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Women's Swimming Coach of the Year after the meet for the seventh time in his career and for the third consecutive year.

Junior Fiona Muir claimed the first of two national titles for the Eagles on the final day of competition as she defended her 100 Freestyle crown. Muir led a contingent of four Emory swimmers in the championship final, winning the event at 49.29. Classmate Meg Taylor finished third at 49.96 followed by senior Ming Ong (7th, 50.83) and Julia Wawer (8th, 51.03).

The Eagles put an exclamation point on the meet as Muir, Taylor, Ong and senior Cindy Cheng registered the fourth NCAA Division III record of the meet, throwing down a time of 3:18.46 to win the 400 Freestyle Relay.

Cheng added All-America honors in the 200 Backstroke, finishing as the national runner-up in a time of 1:58.37. Junior Ashley Daniels posted a fourth place effort in the 200 Breaststroke at 2:16.71 while senior Rebecca Upton finished fifth in the 1,650 Freestyle.

Sophomore Caroline Olson was one of four Eagles to earn Honorable Mention status on the evening, taking 10th in the 100 Freestyle at 50.94. Junior Hannah Lally added honorable mention honors in the 200 Breaststroke (15th, 2:22.07) as did senior Sia Beasley in the 200 Backstroke (16th, 2:03.04) and classmate Megan Campbell in the 200 Breaststroke (16th, 2:22.32).