By Ron Smith
February 16, 2022
 
(ST. GEORGE, Utah) Westmont Women's Swimming began four days of swimming at the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference Championships, which are being held at Dixie State University. The first day saw some personal goals accomplished and a school record set.
 
"I think we were just getting our feet wet today and were a little timid," observed Westmont head coach Jill Jones Lin. "I'm hoping that with getting use to the pool and the environment today, tomorrow will be a better start for us."
 
Three Warriors competed in the first race of the event – the 1000 yard freestyle. Jackie Kortenhoeven competed in the first heat and posted a time of 13:11.58, which was a personal best. Kassy Gregory completed the 40-length race in a time of 11:13.09 to claim 18th place out of 29 finisher. Morgan Bienias was in the final heat consisting of the swimmers with the eight fastest seed times.
 
"It was harder than I expected," acknowledged Bienias. "I didn't do my best, but I tried hard and I came back. I was in eighth place and I made it to fifth in my heat."
 
Bienias finished with a time of 10:57.45 and claimed 10th place overall.
 
"It is really special," said Bienias of the opportunity to compete in the meet. "We have two seniors and it is cool that we get to be here with them in their last meet ever. It is cool that we get to be in a conference with Division I, II and III teams and be racing fast people."
 
The Warriors also competed in the 200 yard medley relay with the team of Ellie Muench, Ella Chaisson, Rian Lewandowski and Bridget Hoth setting a new school record of 1:49.78 while finishing in ninth place.
 
"The 200 medley relay team did an incredible job," stated Jones Lin. "We have been playing around with the order a lot, trying to figure out the best combination. I think they nailed it! So, that was really exciting."
 
The final event of the day was the 800 yard freestyle relay in which Olivia Garrison, Chaisson, Gregory and Hoth earned a sixth-place finish in a time of 7:59.77.
 
One of the other opportunities for athletes at the PCSC Championships is for athletes to compete in timed trials, which are not championship races, but which give athletes the opportunity to try to get a national qualifying standard or just try something new. Emma Leathers decided to swim in the timed trial of the 100 yard.
 
"A huge highlight was Emma breaking a minute for the first time in the 100 free," said Jones Lin. "She is such a positive person on this team and we need those people who are getting hyped up about trying something new."
 
"I have had the goal since my freshman year of breaking a minute. I don't do the sprint events. So, for a lot of people it isn't that exciting of a goal, but I was nervous and didn't know if I could do it. My teammate, Rian Lewandowski said, 'Emma, you do the hardest events and do them fine. It's a 100 freestyle, just don't breathe as much as you usually do.'
 
"At the end of the race, it was hard to find my name on the results board, but I could hear everyone yelling, so I thought, 'I think that means I did it!'"
 
Indeed she did, posting a time of 59.70
 
Thursday, the Warriors are set to compete in the 500 yard freestyle, 200 yard individual medley, 50 yard freestyle and the 200 yard freestyle relay.