Tampa Women Win Bluegrass Conference Championship

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The University of Tampa women's swimming team registered its first Bluegrass Mountain Conference championship as it won the 15-team race. The UT men also finished strong with a second place performance.

In women's action, Tampa won with 657 points, edging Johns Hopkins (647), Savannah College of Art and Design (543), Wingate (502) and Limestone (294). Wingate won the men's event with 657.5 points as Tampa (552), Washington & Lee (547), Limestone (498.5) and Savannah College of Art and Design (266) rounded out the top five.

In the final day, Ellie Eshleman won the 200 Back for the Spartans with a time of 2:04.12. Teammate Heather MacLennan was second in the event. Lindsay Calimer championed the 200 Fly in 2:02.72 while Emilee Margiotta was second. The Spartans also won the 400 Free Relay as the team of Allison Vetter, Stephanie Branham, Hannah Hudson and Jessie Bardin turned in a 3:27.67 showing.

Chris O'Linger won the 1,650 Free for Tampa's men. O'Linger won in 15:26.65 as teammates Hunter Lineback and Tyler Furrer helped UT sweep the top three in the event. Daniel Hernandez also won the 200 Fly in 1:51.08 while Roman Dagesh and Blaine Bess were second and third respectively.

Tampa now sets its sights on the final event of the season, the 2009 NCAA II Championships. The event will feature representation from both UT teams. The championships will take place on Mar. 11-14 in Houston, Texas.