SDSU WOMEN'S SWIMMING: MEYER, BERGGREN LEAD AZTECS TO PENTATHLON WIN AT USD

Meyer wins pentathlon vs. USD

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo: Freshman McKenna Meyer was the individual winner at the annual pentathlon meet vs. University of San Diego.  Via goaztecs.com

September 15, 2016 (San Diego) - By a very narrow margin, SDSU freshman swimmer McKenna Meyer captured the individual title as San Diego defeated the University of San Diego, 33-24, in the annual pentathlon at the USD Sports Center Pool Thursday afternoon. The Aztecs captured seven of the top t10 spots in the final pentathlon individual standings.

The contest consisted of five events including the 100 free, 100 fly, 100 back, 100 breaststroke and 100 individual medley. Total times in the five swims determined individual placings with the top three finishers from each school scoring points (12-11-10-9-8-7).

Meyer proved to be the meet's most consistent performer over the five events as she finished no lower than third in any of the races and just ahead of teammate Frida Berggren in total time. Meyer’s effort included three first-places (100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke), one second (100 individual medley) and a third (100 butterfly.

Her total time over the five events of the pentathlon was 4:54.23 as she finished just 0.26 second ahead of Berggren (2nd – 4:54.49) and over 15 seconds faster than fellow frosh Kassidy Henson (3rd – 5:09.94).

Berggren, who recorded two firsts, two seconds and a third, was the Pentathlon champion in both 2013 and 2014 before taking last year off to return to Sweden to train and compete in her country’s Olympic Trials. On Thursday she took top spot in both the 100 fly and 100 individual medley, second in the 10 back and 100 beast, and third in the 100 free.

In addition to the top three, San Diego State had four others finish among the top seven in total time for the pentathlon: Kate Santilena (4th – 5:10.24), Rachael Kelch (5th – 5:15.28), Summer Harrison (6th – 5:17.12) and Alma Thormalm (7th – 5:17.2)

Following the Pentathlon events, the teams swam 50-yard races in each of the four strokes as well as the 400 IM and 500 freestyle with SDSU swimmers claiming the top times in each race.

Freshman Peyton Wilson won the 50 free (24.44) while Harrison captured the 50 fly. Santilena took the 50 back in 28.16 with Cecilia Zaccarelli winning the 50 breast (32.21). Meyer was the victor in the 400 individual medley in 4:26.15 while Henson took the 500 freestyle in 5:15.34.

San Diego State will continue its regular season in three weeks when it travels to Malibu, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 6 for a dual meet at Pepperdine scheduled to get underway at noon. On the ensuing two days (Oct. 7-8), SDSU will be in Fresno, Calif., to participate in the Fresno State Invitational.

View pentathlon times here.