Bucknell University
Patriot League Championships
Women's Swim & Dive Finishes Fourth at 2024 Patriot League Championships
2/24/2024 10:35:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Bucknell women's swimming & diving team finished in fourth place at the 2024 Patriot League Championships, which wrapped up Saturday night in Lejeune Hall. Bucknell collected three medals and broke a pair of school records throughout the four-day meet, finishing with 863 points. Claire Kehley highlighted the day on Saturday, as she earned a silver medal in the 1650 freestyle for Bucknell's highest event finish of the championships.
Navy won the Patriot League Championships title with 1,397 points. Army finished second with 1,199, and Boston U. was just ahead of the Bison with 946 points. Esme Hunter led all Bison with 63 points scored at the championships.
SATURDAY RESULTS | FULL MEET RESULTS
Kehley, who earned bronze in the mile last season as a rookie, placed one spot higher this season with her 16.52.20. Her time ranks sixth in school history. Kehley finished only behind Army's Molly Webber, who clocked a 16:44.67. Bucknell teammate Kelly Byrne also earned a top-eight finish in the 1650, finishing eighth with a 17:08.09. Caroline McGann scored points in the event as well, finishing 20th overall.
Two Bison, Kate Handley and Skye Sunderhauf, earned spots in the 200 breaststroke A final. Handley took fifth place with a 2:18.26, and Sunderhauf placed eighth with a 2:31.37. Ava Stallmeyer and Hanna Bingley both scored in the B final, finishing 11th and 14th, respectively.
Hunter placed eighth in the 200 backstroke with a 2:02.51, while Kendall Luecke, Kyla Kelly and Samantha Benzija each scored in the C final.
Hunter and Kelly were also part of Bucknell's fifth-place 400 freestyle relay team, along with Kayla Lichtner and Virginia Hastings. The group's 3:24.06 ranks fourth in school history.
Also setting a program top-10 time was Sunderhauf in the 200 butterfly. Her 2:02.75 ranks seventh in school history.
Looking ahead, the Bison travel back to Annapolis next weekend to compete at the 2024 ECAC Championships. The meet begins Friday, March 1 and concludes Sunday, March 3. The Bison placed second overall at the meet last year.
Saturday's Program Top-10 Performances:
1650 Freestyle – Claire Kehley (16:52.20) – 6th in school history
200 Butterfly – Skye Sunderhauf (2:02.75) – 7th in school history
400 Freestyle Relay – Virginia Hastings, Kyla Kelly, Kayla Lichtner, Esme Hunter (3:24.06) – 4th in school history
Saturday's Top-8 Placers:
1650 Freestyle – Claire Kehley (16:52.20) – 2nd Place
1650 Freestyle – Kelly Byrne (17:08.09) – 8th Place
200 Backstroke – Esme Hunter (2:02.51) – 8th Place
200 Breaststroke – Kate Handley (2:18.26) – 5th Place
200 Breaststroke – Skye Sunderhauf (2:21.37) – 8th Place
Overall School Records:
200 Freestyle Relay – Virginia Hastings, Kyla Kelly, Kayla Lichtner, Esme Hunter (1:32.93)
100 Breaststroke – Kate Handley (1:02.03)
Claire Kehley – Silver – 1650 Freestyle (16:52.20)
Kate Handley – Bronze – 100 Breaststroke (1:02.37)
Reggie Frias – Bronze – 3-Meter Dive (290.70)
Players Mentioned
