The Valpo women’s swimming team opened the 2024 MVC Championships in Evansville, Ind. on Wednesday evening with a pair of relays. The night was highlighted by freshman Avery Ball (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) cracking the top-five in program history in the 50 back.

How It Happened

• The championship meet began with the 200 medley relay, which Valpo covered in a season-best 1:49.47 — just two-tenths of a second from a spot in the top-10 in program history. Ball swam the opening leg and was joined by freshman Roxanne Adams (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico/Homeschooled), junior Bridget Pollard (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South) and freshman Faith Bargwell (Grand Rapids, Mich./Rockford).
• Ball’s leadoff 50 back leg saw her touch the wall in 27.36, moving her into fourth place in program history in the 50 back.
• The second and final event of the night was the 800 free relay. Freshman Sophie Schoch (Medina, Ohio/Medina), sophomore Emma Schmidt (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley), sophomore Caroline Gorski (Melrose Park, Ill./Leyden) and junior Haley Hume (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette) teamed up to post a season-best time of 7:58.58.
• Valpo finished the night with 84 points, good for eighth place out of the nine competing teams. The Beacons closed the opening day ahead of Southern Illinois in the team standings.

Next Up

Valpo continues with the second of four days of competition at the MVC Championships on Thursday. Prelim swims begin at 10:30 a.m., with finals starting at 6 p.m.