Hopkins Achieves Six NCAAA B Cuts: Highlights from Day Three of H20unds Invitational
Johns Hopkins University (JHU) achieved six NCAA B cuts and scored 674 points on the last day of the Loyola H20unds Invitational. Over three days, they totaled 1408 points and secured second place.
Jaya Veerapaneni, Taylor Rohovit, Kennedy Lee, and Elizabeth Cohen started strong, placing fourth in the 400 Medley Relay with a time of 3:49.67, marking JHU’s first NCAA cut of the night. Meg Susil followed with a B cut, finishing third in the 1650 Free at 17:16.21.
In the 200 Back, Lee, in her first collegiate swim of the event, earned a B cut of 2:02.17, finishing second. Nyah Stahl placed fourth with 2:03.78, and Sarah Fox and Veerapaneni set personal bests with times of 2:05.35 and 2:06.33, finishing seventh and eighth.
Cohen led in the 100 Free, achieving a career-best of 51.51 for fifth place, just shy of a B cut. Melissa Er followed, placing seventh with a personal best of 52.05. In the 200 Breast, Rohovit finished second with a B cut of 2:17.70, while Michelle Liu claimed third with a career-best and B cut of 2:18.99. Rachel Davis and Katherine Chelus took seventh and ninth, clocking 2:24.60 and 2:30.14, respectively.
Interview with Coach Sarah Thompson on Johns Hopkins University’s Stellar Performance at the Loyola H2ounds Invitational
News Directory 3: Thank you for joining us today, Coach Sarah Thompson. Congratulations on the remarkable performance at the Loyola H2ounds Invitational! Can you share your overall thoughts on the team’s achievements?
Coach Thompson: Thank you for having me! I’m incredibly proud of the team. Achieving six NCAA B cuts and a total score of 1,408 points over three days is a huge accomplishment. It reflects our hard work during training and the dedication of each athlete.
News Directory 3: The 400 Medley Relay started off strong with a fourth-place finish. What does this early success mean for the team’s morale?
Coach Thompson: The relay is always a great indicator of how the meet will unfold, so starting with a strong performance really set the tone. It was fantastic to see Jaya, Taylor, Kennedy, and Elizabeth secure our first NCAA cut of the night. It’s a huge confidence booster and shows that we’re competitive right from the start.
News Directory 3: Meg Susil had an impressive outing in the 1650 Free with a B cut. How crucial are individual performances like hers in a team setting?
Coach Thompson: Individual achievements are vital because they not only contribute points but also inspire the entire team. Meg’s performance in the 1650 Free exemplifies our depth and talent, and seeing her succeed can motivate her teammates to strive for excellence in their events.
News Directory 3: Kennedy Lee made a noteworthy entrance in her first collegiate event with a B cut in the 200 Back. What does her performance signify for the future of the team?
Coach Thompson: Kennedy’s performance is an exciting sign for our future. It shows that she’s ready to compete at a high level and contribute significantly to the team. As a freshman, her ability to deliver under pressure bodes well for both her and the team’s prospects moving forward.
News Directory 3: Elizabeth Cohen came close to a B cut in the 100 Free. How important is it for athletes to consistently push for personal bests?
Coach Thompson: Pushing for personal bests is essential for growth. It’s not just about hitting cuts; it’s about developing a mindset focused on improvement. Elizabeth’s career-best time in the 100 Free shows her potential, and we’re excited to see what she can achieve as the season progresses.
News Directory 3: With the conclusion of the meet and another strong performance in the 400 Free Relay, what’s next for JHU as you prepare for the upcoming meet against Rowan?
Coach Thompson: We’re looking forward to competing against Rowan. The team will focus on refining their techniques and recovering from this meet to ensure they’re in the best shape possible. Each competition is an opportunity to learn and improve, and we’re eager to build on our successes.
News Directory 3: Thank you, Coach Thompson, for sharing your insights with us. Best of luck as you head into your next competition!
Coach Thompson: Thank you! We appreciate the support and look forward to making more strides as a team.
Kate Petitt earned another second-place finish with a career-best of 2:07.64 in the A Final of the 200 Fly. Ayden Min won the B Final in 2:11.28. The meet concluded with the 400 Free Relay, where Liu, Cohen, Er, and Anna Miler combined for a time of 3:27.01, securing another NCAA B cut.
JHU will compete again on Friday, December 6, hosting Rowan at 4:00 PM in the Newton White Aquatic Center.