HIRAM, Ohio – The Lady Baron's swimming & diving team finished out strong after a trying meet against Hiram College. The team swam fast and overcame many struggles despite losing to Hiram in a close 102-100 meet.
The difference in the meet came down to diving where Hiram College's two divers gave them a 13-point advantage with Franciscan's diver abroad for the semester. The Lady Barons also dealt with a new pool size testing their abilities and their flexibility. With the switch from a 25 yard pool to a 25 meter pool, the Lady Barons had to adjust their stroke counts and breathing to succeed in their races.
"Every girl is working to better their time and because our times are in a 25 yard pool, it is a little bit challenging to know exactly how you're doing," said Head Coach Kateri Lang. "It can throw off your whole race."
The Lady Barons showed their strength from the start winning the 200 medley relay at 2:20:04. This power continued into the meet as more swimmers pushed themselves, ultimately showing their ability to come off the block with confidence.
Sophomore Kiersten Baucom has continued to shine in middle distance as the season has progressed. Baucom placed second in the 200m freestyle at 3:01:41 while also swimming a leg in the team's 200m Freestyle relay win with a time of 2:19.36.
"She is such a power house. She came to us with a put-me-where-you-need-me mentality and she has thrived. You really have to love distance to do well in it and she has done well in that and in mid-distance," said Lang. "I'm really seeing where she is shining."
The Lady Barons continue to look forward to the following day's meet with hope to gain personal records and a little more comfort in their home pool. With the opportunity to build off of their meet, the Lady Barons are eager to prepare for the next meet.
"Everyone swam so well and this gives us the opportunity to look at the things we should change quickly. They can look back and say 'this is where I need to improve and change it for tomorrow'," said Lang.
The Lady Barons will next swim in a dual home meet against Cabrini College and Bethany College at 12pm at Big Red Natatorium in Steubenville, Ohio.
