Women's Swimming score podium finish at nationals

COLUMBUS, Ga. (March 10, 2024) - The Milligan University women's swim team posted a podium finish at the 2024 NAIA Swimming Championships, placing third overall.

The four-day event took place at the Columbus Aquatic Center in Columbus, Ga., from March 6-9.

The Buffaloes tallied 324 points to finish third overall. Only Keiser (655.5) and St. Thomas (405) finished ahead of Milligan.

Two other Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) teams recorded points at nationals. Both Brenau and Union collected 47 points to land in a tie for 15th.

Riley Renaud highlighted the Buffs' outstanding performances as she won the individual national championship in the 1650 freestyle with a time of 17:03.33. Renaud also placed second in the 500 freestyle, touching the wall in 5:01.55.

Gabby MacPherson nearly won an individual championship as she placed second in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:05.13.

In all, Milligan collected 29 NAIA All-American honors in 13 events. The honorees are:

• 200 Medley Relay - Tyler Cates, Kaylee Williams, MacPherson, Hanne te Velthuis (third, 1:45.73)
• 800 Freestyle Relay - Renaud, MacPherson, Samantha van Vuure, te Velthuis (third, 7:38.27)
• 500 Freestyle - Renaud (second, 5:01.55)
• 200 IM - Mary Grace Bitting (eighth, 2:09.09)
• 50 Freestyle - te Velthuis (fifth, 23.54)
• 200 Freestyle Relay - MacPherson, Bitting, van Vuure, te Velthuis (fourth, 1:36.46)
• 100 Butterfly - MacPherson (eighth, 58.12)
• 200 Freestyle - te Velthuis (fourth, 1:52.45)
• 400 Medley Relay - Cates, Williams, MacPherson, te Velthuis (fourth, 3:53.04)
• 100 Freestyle - te Velthuis (seventh, 52.15)
• 200 Butterfly - MacPherson (second, 2:50.13); Bitting (seventh, 20:09.02)
• 1650 Freestyle - Renaud (first, 17:03.33)
• 400 Freestyle Relay - MacPherson, Bitting, van Vuure, te Velthuis (sixth, 3:31.62)