Valparaiso’s women’s swim team sits in fourth place following the Friday’s competition at the Coers Invitational held in Muncie, Ind.

The Crusaders scored 47 points on day one of competition, seven more than fifth place Findlay.  Host Ball State leads the way with 233 points, followed by Marshall (149.5) and Grand Valley State (130.5).

Valpo began the day with a fourth place effort in the 200 freestyle relay.  The team of Alizabeth Taubert (Bloomington, Ill./University H.S.), Andrea Bretl (Wauwatosa, Wis./Wauwatosa H.S.), Erin Owen (Mazeppa, Minn./Zumbrota-Mazeppa H.S.), and Brittany Bencur (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) posted a time of 1:49.48.

Natalie Jarrett (Lebanon, Ind./Western Boone H.S.) posted an eighth place effort in the 200 individual medley with her time of 2:15.24, the sixth best effort ever at Valpo in the event. 

Taubert also had the team’s fastest time in the 500 freestyle, touching the wall in 5:25.39, a collegiate best for the freshman.  Laura Rickey (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth-Roseville H.S.) added Valpo’s fastest 50 free mark of the night  with her time of 26.48 seconds.

The Brown and Gold finished day one with a fifth place mark in the 400 medley relay.  The team of Jarrett, Amy Andracki (Arlington Heights, Ill./Prospect H.S.), Justine Barnes (Rochester Hills, Mich./Adams H.S.), and Rickey turned in a time of 4:12.76, the team’s best time in the event this season.

The Crusaders will return to the water on Saturday morning for the final day of competition at the Coers Invitational.  Events begin for the morning session at 8 a.m. CST with afternoon events starting at 2 p.m. CST.