UW-L Captures Get to the Point Invite; Hoff Wins Three Events

For Immediate Release: Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009

Stevens Point, Wis. - The UW-La Crosse women's swimming & diving team captured the Get to the Point Invite Saturday night at UW-Stevens Point. The Eagles recorded 898 team points while Minnesota State, Mankato University was second (709) and UW-Stevens Point third (625). Minnesota State University Moorhead was fourth (601) followed by UW-Eau Claire (572), Gustavus Adolphus College, Minn. (283), UW-Whitewater (75) and Coe College, Iowa (40).

The Eagles' Chelsea Hoff won three individual titles at the invite, placing first in the 50 (24.27) and 100 freestyle (53.82) as well as the 100 backstroke (58.42). Her time in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke were NCAA Division III "B" qualifying marks.

Danielle Ellingson won the 400 I.M. (4:41.84) while placing second in the 200 I.M. (2:12.63) and seventh in the 200 butterfly (2:19.80). Jennifer Bryson won the 500 freestyle (5:17.93), finished second in the 1,650 freestyle (18:18.38) and eighth in the 400 I.M. (4:58.61).

UW-L captured the 200 (1:38.19), 400 (3:35.62) and 800 (7:56.62) freestyle relays. The Eagles earned an national "B" qualifying time in the 200 freestyle. The 200 medley relay was third (1:51.15).

In diving, Rachael LaValley placed second in the 3-meter (409.60 points) and 1-meter (392.85) competition. Samantha Koch was third in the 3-meter (401.85) and seventh in the 1-meter (374.95).

Other top individual finishes included Kacie O'Brien second in the 200 breaststroke (2:29.97) and eighth in the 200 I.M. (2:17.83).

Along with Hoff's first-place showing in the 100 freestyle, three other swimmers recorded top-seven finishes. Katelyn Hartung was second (54.67), Brianna Peyer third (54.79) and Clare Hathaway seventh (55.13). Hartung was also third in the 200 freestyle (1:58.94) and fifth in the 500 freestyle (5:23.02) while Peyer placed second in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.42) and sixth in the 50 freestyle (25.34). Hathaway was fourth in the 50 freestyle (25.23) and sixth in the 100 butterfly (1:02.59).

The Eagles' Anita Talavera was third in the 200 butterfly (2:16.62), sixth in the 500 freestyle (5:24.87) and seventh in the 200 freestyle (2:02.28), Elizabeth Werner placed sixth in ther 1,650 freestyle (18:43.21) and seventh in the 200 breaststroke (2:32.80) while Elisabeth Misener was sixth in the 200 backstroke (2:16.04) and ninth in the 100 backstroke (1:04.12).

Melissa Klotz was fifth in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.710 while Maria Krisch was seventh in the 400 I.M. (4:54.29) and Colleen Tierney seventh in the 100 butterfly (1:02.63).

UW-L returns to action Saturday, Jan. 31 hosting UW-Stevens Point at 1 p.m. in Mitchell Hall.