The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Tim Welsh Classic
Zips Place Third After First Day of the Tim Welsh Classic
January 23 | Women's Swimming & Diving
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Akron turned in a strong showing Friday night at the Tim Welsh Classic to sit third overall after the opening session.
After the first day of competition, Akron totaled 554 points, trailing Notre Dame and Illinois.
The Zips opened the meet with a runner-up finish in the women's 200-yard freestyle relay, as the quartet of Callie Parkes, Brie Trumpower, Hannah Trainer and Ada Szwabinska touched in 1:31.01. Akron also added multiple scoring relays later in the session, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in the 400 medley relay (3:41.07).
Individually, Akron made its biggest impact in the sprints. Szwabinska won the women's 50 freestyle in 22.29, while Parkes finished second in 22.85 to give the Zips the top two spots in the event. Martyna Piesko and Trainer also scored in the final.
Akron placed several swimmers in the points in the women's 500 freestyle, led by Helena Lalkovic's sixth-place finish in 4:57.13. Elle Couture followed closely in seventh, with Cora Spetz, Maggie Patterson and Ava Withey also contributing scoring swims.
In the women's 200 individual medley, Avery Knight led Akron with an eighth-place finish.
Akron dominated the top of the women's 200 freestyle, finishing first and second behind Helena Lalkovic's winning time of 1:47.83 and Szwabinska's 1:49.67. The Zips placed seven swimmers in the scoring positions, with Maggie Patterson, Elle Couture, Brienne Trumpower and Cora Spetz all contributing points.
On the backstroke side, Akron swept the top three spots in the women's 100 backstroke. Piesko won the event in 53.48, followed closely by Avery Knight (54.13) and Cronin (54.43).
Efthymia Mazaraki placed fifth in the women's 100 breaststroke to keep Akron in the scoring mix.
Akron's relay depth was on display again in the women's 800 freestyle relay, where the top Zips quartet of Couture, Lalkovic, Patterson and Szwabinska finished fourth in 7:23.58.
What's Next?
Akron concludes action in the Tim Welsh Classic on Saturday, January 24.
Players Mentioned
