University of Delaware Swimmers Payonk, Ahrens Win Events at Maryland Terrapin Invitational
February 11, 2012
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- University of Delaware junior Lesley Payonk (at right) posted two first place finishes and freshman Lauren Ahrens won the 200 yard individual medley race at the Terrapin Swimming Classic hosted by the University of Maryland on Saturday.
Payonk and Ahrens were the only Blue Hen athletes who competed at the two-day invitational meet that included individuals from Maryland, UMBC, William & Mary, Penn, and Drexel.
Payonk, a junior from Saint John, Ind. (Lake Central High School) was a double winner as she captured the 500 freestyle in a time of 5:00.17 and won the 200 freestyle with a clocking of 1:53.52, edging runner-up Kristen Degrazia of Penn by less than a second. She also finished third in the 1,650 freestyle with a time of 17:42.67.
Ahrens, a freshman from Warrington, Pa. (Central Bucks South HS), competed in three events during the meet. She won the 100 backstroke in a time of 58.83, improving nearly two seconds from her preliminary time, and finished third in the 200 individual medley (2:06.87) and fifth in the 200 freestyle (1:54.96).
Both the Delaware men and women swimming and diving teams will next be in action Feb. 22-25 when the Blue Hens compete at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships at George Mason University.
