Marshall bests West Virginia by 40 points for title
The Marshall University swimming and diving team claimed the 2023 West Virginia State Games title on Saturday in Morgantown, West Virginia.
“We have a really special group here and our staff is so proud of these women,” Herd swimming and diving head coach Ian Walsh said after his team’s triumph. “It was a true team effort this weekend and every individual played a part in it. A lot of standout performances this weekend. I’m pleased with how our freshman navigated this tough, emotional two-day meet. The upperclassmen have been wonderful examples for that group and setting the tone of the season through training and competing.”
The Herd racked up 1,340.5 points at the two-day meet besting West Virginia’s 1,300.5 total.
“We have only beaten WVU twice in the history of our program. It makes it extra special when we can do it at their venue. Our parents and fans were incredible today with the support they showed up in the stands.”
MU finished the final day by winning four of the final eight events and had 14 top-three finishes.
Three of the team’s wins came during a stretch between events three through six. Gabrielle Ivey took the 200 Backstroke (2:05.97) and Eszter Laban won the 500 Freestyle (5:07.32). In the sixth event of the day, the 100 Butterfly, Marshall took four of the top-five spots with Madeline Hart winning the event (57.17), Klava Katayama taking third (58.19), Ivey fourth (58.38) and Laban fifth (58.68), respectively.
The Herd closed out the event with a first-place finish in the 200 Freestyle Relay by the team of Katayama, Parker Lynch, Hart, Audrey West (1:36.53) and third by Ivey, Mia McBride, Nina Nugent, Molly Warner (1:37.81).
Katayama also finished second in the 100 Freestyle (52.62) in addition to the 400 Medley Relay with the team of McBride, Paige Banton and Hart (3:53.12).
Jenna Bopp took second in the 200 Breaststroke (2:21.39) just ahead of Banton who finished in third (2:21.50).
In the 200 Individual Medley, Laban finished second (2:08.31) with Warner finishing third (2:08.51).
“We have a month until our next meet against JMU, so we will enjoy this day and get back to work Monday.”
RESULTS
400 Medley Relay
2nd – Mia McBride, Paige Banton, Madeline Hart, Klava Katayama (3:53.12)
3rd – Gabrielle Ivey, Jenna Bopp, Katie Fisher, Molly Warner (3:53.87)
8th – Mackenzie Rider, Grace Valenza, Grace Cox, Claire Kenney (4:15.00)
100 Freestyle
2nd – Klava Katayama (52.62)
3rd – Madeline Hart (53.40)
4th – Audrey West (53.78)
6th – Parker Lynch (54.47)
7th – Nina Nugent (54.54)
8th – Sofia Bormett (54.68)
13th – Claire Kenney (55.84)
20th – Grace Cox (57.96)
200 Backstroke
1st – Gabrielle Ivey (2:05.97)
4th – Mia McBride (2:08.72)
5th – Lauren Ramsey (2:08.74)
7th – Molly Warner (2:09.41)
8th – Allison Dodd (2:09.59)
10th – Charlotte Thompson (2:11.32)
13th – Parker Lynch (2:18.10)
17th – Mackenzie Rider (2:24.77)
200 Breaststroke
2nd – Jenna Bopp (2:21.39)
3rd – Paige Banton (2:21.50)
5th – Audrey West (2:25.09)
6th – Jessica Humby (2:27.41)
7th – Katie Fisher (2:29.48)
8th – Nina Nugent (2:31.13)
11th – Grace Valenza (2:37.89)
500 Freestyle
1st – Eszter Laban (5:07.32)
6th – Charlotte Thompson (5:16.64)
10th – Jenna Bopp (5:20.60)
100 Butterfly
1st – Madeline Hart (57.17)
3rd – Klava Katayama (58.19)
4th – Gabrielle Ivey (58.38)
5th – Eszter Laban (58.68)
6th – Tatum Robinson (58.82)
10th – Katie Fisher (59.87)
11th – Lauren Ramsey (1:00.31)
12th – Mia McBride (1:00.67)
20th – Grace Cox (1:02.38)
26th – Mackenzie Rider (1:07.35)
200 IM
2nd – Eszter Laban (2:08.31)
3rd – Molly Warner (2:08.51)
5th – Audrey West (2:08.69)
6th – Paige Banton (2:11.06)
8th – Allison Dodd (2:11.17)
11th – Jessica Humby (2:12.98)
13th – Katie Fisher (2:13.99)
14th – Lauren Ramsey (2:14.79)
15th – Jenna Bopp (2:14.89)
17th – Tatum Robinson (2:16.51)
18th – Grace Valenza (2:17.35)
200 Freestyle Relay
1st – Klava Katayama, Parker Lynch, Madeline Hart, Audrey West (1:36.53)
3rd – Gabrielle Ivey, Mia McBride, Nina Nugent, Molly Warner (1:37.81)
5th – Sofia Bormett, Claire Kenney, Lauren Ramsey, Allison Dodd (1:39.74)
UP NEXT
Marshall returns to the pool in Harrisonburg, Virginia, for a dual meet at James Madison on November 4.
To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall swimming & diving, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall swimming & diving.
For the latest information on Marshall swimming & diving, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HerdWSwimDive and online at HerdZone.com.
**Press release from HERDZONE – 10/7/2023 6:27:00 PM | Women’s Swimming and Diving