GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Tulane Green Wave swimming and diving team delivered a strong performance on the third day of the American Conference Championships, held Friday at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. The team is currently in fifth place overall with 646.5 points, fueled by standout individual performances and a successful relay showing. The championships continue Saturday with preliminaries beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Varvara Gkiouzepa Petropoulou highlighted the day for Tulane, tying for second place in the 200-meter butterfly with a time of 1:58.61, earning 27.50 points for the team. Phoebe Johnson likewise contributed in the event, finishing 13th and adding 14 points to Tulane’s total. The success in the 200 butterfly underscores the team’s strength in that discipline, building on previous performances throughout the competition.
Strong Relay Performance Boosts Tulane’s Score
The Green Wave’s 800-meter freestyle relay team secured a third-place finish, further bolstering Tulane’s position in the standings. The team, comprised of Lise Coetzee, Andrea Zeebe, Phoebe Johnson, and Rafaela Sumida, completed the race in 7:16.10, earning 54 team points. This relay performance demonstrates the team’s depth and ability to compete at a high level in multiple events.
Individual Achievements Add to Team Total
Beyond Petropoulou and the relay team, several other Green Wave swimmers made significant contributions. Andrea Zeebe finished 10th in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 54.43, adding 17 points. Marin Shimkus followed closely behind, placing 11th with a time of 54.53 and earning 16 points. These consistent performances across multiple events are crucial to Tulane’s overall success.
On the diving side, Taylor Cekay led the way, finishing 13th in the 3-meter diving event with a score of 247.75, contributing 12 points. Libby Brewer also added to the team’s score, finishing 22nd with 237.50 points for three points. The divers’ contributions are vital, adding a different dimension to the team’s overall performance.
Breaststroke Success for Holgersson and Bisquerra
Ebba Holgersson and Paula Gaya Bisquerra both secured top-10 finishes in the 100-meter breaststroke. Holgersson finished seventh with a time of 1:01.85, earning 33 points, although Bisquerra took ninth place with a time of 1:02.63, adding 20 points to the team’s total. These strong performances in the breaststroke events highlight the team’s versatility and depth in various swimming disciplines.
Through the first three days of the American Conference Championships, Tulane has secured four medal-winning performances. The team’s consistent scoring across multiple events has positioned them well as they head into the final day of competition.
The final day of the American Conference Championship on Saturday, February 21, will feature the 100-meter freestyle, 200-meter backstroke, 200-meter breaststroke, platform diving, 1650-meter freestyle, and the 400-meter freestyle relay. Swimming preliminaries are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., with platform diving preliminaries starting at 10 a.m. The finals for platform diving are set for 3:45 p.m., and the swimming finals will follow at 5 p.m.
Fans can follow Tulane Swimming and Diving on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for live updates and results throughout the championship. More information on Tulane Athletics can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
As the Green Wave prepares for the final day of competition, the team will appear to build on its current momentum and secure even more points. The results of Saturday’s events will determine Tulane’s final standing in the American Conference Championships.
Share your thoughts on the Green Wave’s performance and cheer them on as they compete for the championship title!
