In the third and final day of the U.S. Open two Florida women’s swimmers and one relay team advanced to the finals at the James E. Martin Aquatic Center in Auburn, Ala.

Vipa Bernhardt (Bad Hersfeld, Germany) clocked in at 2:34.18 in the A-final of the 200-meter breaststroke to claim seventh-place.

The 400-meter freestyle relay team of Natalie Pike (Boca Raton, Fla.), Bernhardt, Samantha Vanderbilt (Nashville, Tenn.) and Mandy Huff (Gold Hill, N.C.) notched a 3:58.82 to post a fourth-place finish.  Head coach Gregg Troy was glad the women’s swimmers in attendance at the Open were able to gain experience at an international meet.

“We had a younger group on this trip so some kids like Natalie Pike got some valuable experience,” said Troy.  “We were really just trying to see where we are at in this point during the season. I think we did fine here at the Open, not great, but we accomplished the things were focusing on.”

Morning Preliminary Results

In day three preliminary action, which kicked off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, four Gators competed for a berth into the evening finals in assorted events.  Pike finished the 100-meter freestyle prelim in a time of 58.39 to claim 13th, while Huff posted a 2:29.16 in the 200-meter butterfly to finish 40th.

Bernhardt led the way for the Orange and Blue in the 200-meter breaststroke with an eighth-place finish in a time of 2:37.32.  Huff touched the wall in 2:45.23 to take 46th, while Amanda Hartley (Tallahassee, Fla.) claimed 52nd with a time of 2:47.88.

Day Three Finals Winners

Divers at Ohio State Invitational

Alicia Miller (Hobie Sound, Fla.) posted a total of 244.15 points to lead the Gator women’s divers in 11th-place, while Whitney Stern (Safety Harbor, Fla.) scored 227.95 in the three-meter diving competition to finish out day two of the Ohio State Invitational in 19th-place.

“We’re definitely gaining some valuable experience at this invitational,” said head diving coach Donnie Craine.  “At this point we’re better than we have been, right now we’re seeing some new people and as a whole we’re diving pretty well.  Overall I think the kids were disappointed in where they ended up when all was said and done, but it is a learning experience for our freshman and we can only get better.”

-UF-