By: Todd Anderson, Associate AD/Communications & Strategic Initiatives
CANTON, Ohio – Freshman
Nathalia Silva broke a 2-year-old school record in the 1,650-yard Freestyle Relay on the way to tacking up another NCAA qualifying mark (B Standard) and helping lead the UNC Pembroke swimming team to the 2019-20 Mountain East Conference championship on Saturday afternoon in Canton, Ohio.
The Braves closed out the four-day event with 23 school records and four NCAA qualifying times but, more importantly, amassed 715 points and finished as the top point-scoring team from the MEC among the 13-team field. Hillsdale won the overall meet title, as well as the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) title by accruing 1,691 points.
Saturday's action was highlighted by three other school record-breaking performances as well. Newcomer
Ketlyn Rodriguez Matos eclipsed a 3-month-old school record by nearly five seconds on the way to a fourth-place finish in the 200-yard Breaststroke, while fellow freshman
Mariel Mencia Martinez shattered a 3-month-old program superlative by more than 2-1/2 seconds and finished sixth in the 100-yard Freestyle.
Silvia, Mencia Martinez and Rodriguez Matos teamed up with fellow newcomer
Sarah Morden eclipsed the school record in the 400-yard Freestyle by more than 11 seconds and tallied a fourth-place finish. That record had stood for three months as well.
The Braves will get their final tuneup for the NCAA postseason, Feb. 21-22, when they head to Charlotte to take part in the Queens-hosted Royal Open.
