Women's Swimming Earns A Second-Place Finish at 2017 Patriot Invitational

Thursday, November 16

Fairfax, Va.

All Day

Drexel University

Patriot Invitational

Women's Swimming Earns A Second-Place Finish at 2017 Patriot Invitational

11/18/2017 8:54:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving

FINAL TEAM SCORES | SATURDAY FINAL RESULTS

FAIRFAX, Va. - The Drexel women's swimming team earned a second-place finish at the 2017 Patriot Invitational. The Dragons finished out the three-day tournament with a score of 756.50, behind only Invitational-winner UNCW who totaled 850 points.

Florida Atlantic trailed the Dragons in third place with a score of 564, followed by Seton Hall (453), George Mason (396.50), Richmond (353), UMBC (261), American (232), and Shippensburg (7).

The women's squad earned one first-place, three second-place, and one third-place finish on the final day of competition to secure their second-place overall finish. Alexa Kutch finished first in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:55.87, while Alicia Diaz clocked in at 1:59.80 which was good for second place in the same event. Tanja Kirmse broke a team record in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:00.34 which earned her a second-place finish of her own.

The 400-yard freestyle relay team finished second as well after a 3:25.96 effort from Kutch, Diaz, Emily Joyce, and Kirmse. Gabrielle Rudy secured a third-place time of 2:20.47 in the 200-yard breaststroke to round out the Dragons' medalists for the final day of competition.

"We use this invitational as a bench mark for where we're at this point in the season and both teams surpassed my expectations," remarked Head Coach Adam Braun. "I am very happy with how they battled through both physical and mental obstacles. It's a great accomplishment for the men's team to come away winning. I am excited to see what else we can accomplish this year."

To see how the men fared on the final day of competition at the Patriot Invitational, click here.

Next up, Drexel will compete at the AT&T Winter National Championships in Columbus, Ohio from Thursday, Nov. 30 through Saturday, Dec. 2 to close out the 2017 portion of the schedule. The swimming & diving teams will return to action in 2018 on Saturday, Jan. 6 when the Dragons will face CAA foes Delaware and Northeastern in Newark, Del.

Saturday 'A' Final Results

First Place
200 back – 1:55.87 – Alexa Kutch

Second Place
200 back – 1:59.80 – Alicia Diaz
200 fly – 2:00.34* - Tanja Kirmse
400 free relay – 3:25.96 – Alexa Kutch, Alicia Diaz, Emily Joyce, Tanja Kirmse

Third Place

200 breast – 2:20.47 – Gabrielle Rudy

*Team record

FRIDAY FINAL RESULTS | FRIDAY FINAL SCORES | DIVING FINAL SCORES

FAIRFAX, Va. - The Drexel women's swimming team sits in second place as it heads into the final day of competition at the Patriot Invitational. The Dragons total a score of 543.50 and trail only UNCW, who leads the pack with 613 points.

Following Drexel is Florida Atlantic (396), Seton Hall (328), George Mason (270.50), Richmond (249), UMBC (217), American (167), and Shippensburg (4).

The women tallied three first-place finishes as well as two second-place times on the second day of competition. The 200-yard medley relay squad recorded a first-place time of 1:42.40 after a strong effort from Alexa Kutch, Gabrielle Rudy, Hollie Hopf, and Victoria Palochik. Rudy added a first-place finish of her own in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:03.00 and Kutch secured a top time of 53.16 in the 100-yard backstroke. In the same event, Alicia Diaz took second place with a time of 55.26. Tanja Kirmse rounded out the day two medalists with a second-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle with a team-record time of 1:49.78.

Competition will resume on Saturday with the final day of competition beginning at 10 a.m. with the prelims followed by finals at 6 p.m.

The women will compete tomorrow in the 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard butterfly, 1,650-yard freestyle, 400-yard freestyle relay, and time trials.

To see how the men fared on day two of the Patriot Invitational, click here.

Friday 'A' Final Results

First Place
200 medley relay – 1:42.40 – Alexa Kutch, Gabrielle Rudy, Hollie Hopf, Victoria Palochik
100 breast – 1:03.00 – Gabrielle Rudy
100 back – 53.16 – Alexa Kutch

Second Place
200 free – 1:49.78* – Tanja Kirmse
100 back – 55.26 – Alicia Diaz

*Team record

THURSDAY FINAL RESULTS | THURSDAY FINAL SCORES

FAIRFAX, Va. - The Drexel women's swimming team sits in second place out of eight competing teams at the conclusion of day one of the Patriot Invitational hosted by George Mason.

The Dragons tallied 239 points on the day and trail only UNCW, who scored 269. Following Drexel is Florida Atlantic (189), Seton Hall (147), George Mason (126), Richmond (101), UMBC (90), and American (79).

The women's performance on Thursday was highlighted by a first-place finish by the 400-yard medley relay team which consisted of Alexa Kutch, Gabrielle Rudy, Charlotte Myers, and Tanja Kirmse. Kirmse also added a 4:53.31 time in the 500-yard freestyle which was good for a second-place finish. Rudy also finished in second place in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:05.22. In the same event, Alicia Diaz placed third 0.62 second later with a time of 2:05.84. The 200-yard freestyle relay squad finished in third place with a time of 1:36.00 to round out the women's top place-winners for the first day of competition.

Action resumes on Friday at 10 a.m. with the prelims followed by the finals at 6 p.m.

The women will compete tomorrow in the 400-yard individual medley, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard backstroke, and time trials.

To see how the men fared on day one of the Patriot Invitational, click here.

Thursday 'A' Final Results

First Place
400 medley relay – 3:44.19 – Alexa Kutch, Gabrielle Rudy, Charlotte Myers, Tanja Kirmse

Second Place
500 free – 4:53.31 – Tanja Kirmse
200 IM – 2:05.22 – Gabrielle Rudy

Third Place
200 free relay – 1:36.00 – Alexa Kutch, Courtney Levins, Gabrielle Rudy, Victoria Palochik
200 IM – 2:05.84 – Alicia Diaz