Caroline Gaertner Named BIG EAST Swimmer of the Week
12.06.17 | Swimming
Junior became first woman in program history to qualify for finals at USA Swimming Winter Nationals
NEW YORK - After accomplishing a program-first at the USA Swimming Winter Nationals over the weekend, junior Caroline Gaernter was honored by the conference offices, earning BIG EAST Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week on Wednesday.
Gaertner, a native of Mendota Height, Minn., became the first woman in Xavier program history to earn a spot in the finals of the USA Swimming Winter Championships last week at Ohio State. The junior finished 23rd in both the 100 fly and the 100 back prelims to earn a spot in one of three finals heats.
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Gaertner finished fifth in the C-Final of the 100 fly on Friday night, with a time of 54.90, besting her then-BIG EAST-best time in the event set at the CSU Magnus Cup.
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Gaertner followed that up with a time of 55.03 in the finals of the 100 back, hitting the NCAA B-Cut standard in the event for the second-straight year. Gaertner's B-Cut time is the first for a Musketeer this season.
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Gaertner also helped Xavier's 'A' relay to a pair of sixth-place finishes at the Winter Nationals, in the 200 free relay and 400 free relay.
Gaertner is the second Musketeer to earn the honor this season, joining sophomore Emily Conners who earned the first award of the season on Oct. 14, 2017. This is the third time Gaernter has earned BIG EAST swimmer of the week after picking up the honor twice last season.
Xavier Swimming is on an extended break from outside competition to close the semester, returning to the pool for its next meet on Jan. 5, 2018, when Xavier travels to Indianapolis to face IUPUI and Ball State.
Gaertner, a native of Mendota Height, Minn., became the first woman in Xavier program history to earn a spot in the finals of the USA Swimming Winter Championships last week at Ohio State. The junior finished 23rd in both the 100 fly and the 100 back prelims to earn a spot in one of three finals heats.
Â
Gaertner finished fifth in the C-Final of the 100 fly on Friday night, with a time of 54.90, besting her then-BIG EAST-best time in the event set at the CSU Magnus Cup.
Â
Gaertner followed that up with a time of 55.03 in the finals of the 100 back, hitting the NCAA B-Cut standard in the event for the second-straight year. Gaertner's B-Cut time is the first for a Musketeer this season.
Â
Gaertner also helped Xavier's 'A' relay to a pair of sixth-place finishes at the Winter Nationals, in the 200 free relay and 400 free relay.
Gaertner is the second Musketeer to earn the honor this season, joining sophomore Emily Conners who earned the first award of the season on Oct. 14, 2017. This is the third time Gaernter has earned BIG EAST swimmer of the week after picking up the honor twice last season.
Xavier Swimming is on an extended break from outside competition to close the semester, returning to the pool for its next meet on Jan. 5, 2018, when Xavier travels to Indianapolis to face IUPUI and Ball State.
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