CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The La Salle swimming teams showcased their talent at the 2024 Queens Fall Frenzy this past weekend, a four-day competition that proved to be a historic event for the Explorers. Both the men’s and women’s squads exhibited remarkable performances, leading to several new program records being established.
Overall, the men’s team completed the competition with a commendable sixth-place finish, amassing a total of 640.5 points, while the women’s team secured a respectable sixth-place as well, racking up 754.5 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED (Days 1 and 2):
- After a challenging first day that featured only the 800-yard freestyle relays, the Explorers made a strong comeback on the second day, achieving a top-five finish in the women’s 200-yard freestyle relay, impressively executed by one of its relay teams.
- Emma Van Selm, Tori Fenn, Maren Schermerhorn, and Gabrysia Herbreder combined their efforts in the women’s event to secure a fourth-place finish, demonstrating their competitive edge.
- In the men’s 200-yard individual medley (IM), Andrea Savoca showed his prowess by tying for fourth place with an impressive time of 1:49.68.
- Felix Jedbratt clinched a podium finish in the men’s 50-yard freestyle, finishing third with a remarkable time of 19.83, highlighting his speed and skill.
- In an exciting display during the women’s 400-yard medley relay, the team composed of Emma Van Selm, Gabrysia Herbreder, Tori Fenn, and Carlota Ungo not only achieved a fifth-place finish with a commendable time of 3:45.2 but also set a new La Salle program record, cementing their legacy.
- The men’s relay team of Felix Jedbratt, Andrea Savoca, Noah Fredriksson, and Carter Perkins also excelled, finishing third in their event, showcasing La Salle’s depth and teamwork.
HOW IT HAPPENED (Days 3 and 4):
- To kick off Day 3, Camilla Frost made waves by setting a new program record in the women’s 100-yard butterfly, finishing impressively at 55.14, solidifying her place in La Salle’s history.
- On the men’s side, Felix Jedbratt not only won the 100-yard butterfly but also broke the meet record and set a new La Salle program record with his outstanding finish time of 45.4, showcasing his talent and determination.
- Felicia Rogell achieved a commendable fifth overall finish in the intensely competitive 400-yard individual medley, clocking in at 4:21.93.
- Andrea Savoca showcased his versatility by winning the men’s 100-yard breaststroke with a swift time of 52.79, a highlight of his impressive performance throughout the meet.
- In the women’s 200-yard medley relay, La Salle made its mark again with both the men’s and women’s relay teams finishing in third place, demonstrating the program’s depth.
- The women’s relay team, composed of Emma Van Selm, Gabrysia Herbreder, Tori Fenn, and Carlota Ungo, not only finished strong but also set a new La Salle program record during the event.
- In a thrilling finale, Felix Jedbratt secured second overall in the 100-yard freestyle, clocking a swift time of 43.18, further demonstrating his sprinting capability.
- Andrea Savoca capped off his phenomenal weekend by winning his second event, the 200-yard breaststroke, finishing in an impressive time of 1:56.33. Remarkably, he had broken his own La Salle program record earlier in the prelims before surpassing it again in the championship heat.
- Camilla Frost and Felicia Rogell made significant impacts in the women’s 200-yard butterfly, finishing third and fifth respectively with impressive times of 2:02.53 and 2:03.41.
UP NEXT
- The Explorers are set to travel north to the University of Rhode Island, where they will compete in an A-10 dual meet on Friday, Dec. 6. The meet promises exciting action and is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m.
**Questions for the title: Interview with Coach Sarah Johnson of La Salle Swimming**
**Interview with Coach Sarah Johnson of La Salle Swimming**
**Interviewer:** Thanks for joining us, Coach Johnson! It sounds like the 2024 Queens Fall Frenzy was an incredible event for the La Salle swimming teams. Can you share your thoughts on their performances over the four days?
**Coach Johnson:** Absolutely! I’m so proud of both the men’s and women’s squads. This competition truly showcased our athletes’ dedication and talent. Achieving sixth place overall for both teams was a significant achievement, and the points they earned—640.5 for the men and 754.5 for the women—reflect their hard work and skill.
**Interviewer:** Day one seemed a bit tough with only the 800-yard freestyle relays. How did the teams adjust over the next days?
**Coach Johnson:** Yes, Day 1 was challenging, but it was encouraging to see how our swimmers regrouped. By Day 2, they really brought their A-game, especially in the women’s 200-yard freestyle relay, where we finished in the top five. Emma Van Selm, Tori Fenn, Maren Schermerhorn, and Gabrysia Herbreder really set the tone for the rest of the meet.
**Interviewer:** It looks like several new program records were set during the competition. Can you highlight some of those standout moments?
**Coach Johnson:** Definitely! Camilla Frost set a new program record in the women’s 100-yard butterfly with a time of 55.14, which is just remarkable. On the men’s side, Felix Jedbratt not only won the 100-yard butterfly but also broke the meet record, finishing in 45.4 seconds. These performances are huge for our program and reflect the athletes’ determination to constantly improve.
**Interviewer:** The relay events also seemed to be a highlight for both teams. What does this say about the team dynamics?
**Coach Johnson:** Our relay teams were fantastic! The cohesion and teamwork displayed by the men’s relay team and the women’s 400-yard medley relay team really emphasize our depth. Setting a new program record in the women’s medley with a time of 3:45.2 is something they can all be proud of. It shows how well they work together under pressure.
**Interviewer:** What’s next for the teams after this successful meet?
**Coach Johnson:** We’ll be focusing on building on this momentum. The swimmers are motivated, and we’ll continue to refine their techniques in training. We’re looking forward to upcoming competitions where they can further improve and potentially set even more records!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time, Coach Johnson. It sounds like exciting times are ahead for La Salle swimming!
**Coach Johnson:** Thank you! I appreciate the support and can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds for us.
