Falcons Turn in Best Day Yet on Day Three of MW Championships

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Air Force Academy women's swimming team had its best day yet on day three of the 2019 Mountain West Championships Friday, Feb. 22, at the Freeman Aquatic Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The Falcons were led by senior Emma Strom, who placed fifth in the 400 IM finals. Overall, Air Force had five times within the top 10 fastest in program history.

Strom clocked in with a 4:17.34, which improved on her second-best time in program history, which was previously 4:20.81. The finals time was just off an NCAA B cut time, missing it by just .04 seconds.

Air Force's next highest finish was in the 100 breast, as junior Heidi Schellin took 13th with a 1:02.67. Schellin actually had a race off following the prelims, in which she swam to a 1:02.54, which is the second fastest time in program history.

Elsewhere in the 100 breast, freshmen Evelyn Johnson and Caroline Wittich took 19th and 20th, respectively, with a 1:03.12 and 1:03.66. Those times are the fourth and sixth fastest in AFA history.

In the 100 back, sophomore Kylie Stronko, who re-set her school record in the event last night (54.43) during the 400 medley relay, placed 15th with a 55.41. Her prelim time was 54.92.

Over in the 100 fly, junior Esther Min took 19th place with a 55.62. Her prelim time of 55.60 was good for sixth best in Academy history.

The final individual race was the 200 free. Air Force did not qualify anyone for the finals, but its highest finisher was senior Elisabeth Brechbuhl with a 1:52.73, which was her season best and second fastest this season for the Falcons.

In the final event of the evening, the 200 free relay, Air Force took ninth place with a season-best time of 1:34.52. As a team after day three, the Blue and Silver have 284 points, placing them in 10th.

The final day of the MW Championships concludes tomorrow, Feb. 23, with seven more events. Action from Minnesota begins at 10 a.m. MT with prelims, and finals at 5:30 p.m. MT.

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