Contact: Lou Groce, Director of Media and Information, 920-229-8157

GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College will serve as the host of the 2018 Midwest Conference (MWC) Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship from February 16 to February 18 at the Russell K. Osgood Pool and Deck.  The Pioneers have won 18 of the last 19 titles and seeking their sixth in a row. 

A couple of freshman will lead the defending champions in the individual events.  McKynley Larson enters her first MWC Championship with the top times in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke (1:01.32, 2:12.08).  She also ranks second in the 1,650 freestyle (18:37.27) and the 500 freestyle (5:22.69).  Classmate Marguerite Devine-Mraz also topped the conference with a 2:15.96 in the 200 butterfly and leads the league with a 4:53.81 mark in the 400 individual medley. 

Reigning MWC Diver of the Year Summer White, should also rack up big points for the home team.  The senior has been named the MWC Performer of the Week twice this season and has already qualified for NCAA Regionals. 

Lake Forest College slipped to number three in the league last winter, but enters the weekend with a strong group of women to challenge the defending champions.  Senior Lily McCarthy is the conference’s top distance swimmer.  She has the top time in the 1,650 freestyle (11:06.42) by over 15 seconds and also is the top seed in the 500 freestyle (5:17.41) by over five seconds.  The senior could also medal in the 200 freestyle (2:00.60) as she has recorded the conference’s second-best time, ranking less than a second behind freshman teammate Corynn Christjansen (1:59.77). 

Forester freshman Susan Guo should have a big impact on the team’s standings as she is in position to win four individual medals.  Guo is the top seed in the 100 butterfly (1:00.18), while ranking third in the 50 freestyle (25.61), 200 butterfly (2:19.16), and the 200 individual medley (2:19.02). 

Beloit College has two women that could top the podium this weekend.  Freshman Morgan Nicholson has recorded the fastest time this winter in the 50 freestyle (25.15) and could be victorious in the 100 freestyle as well (55.30).  Bri Stoffregen should also bring home some hardware for the Bucs.  The junior has set numerous school records this season and tops the league in the 100 freestyle (55.18) and the 200 individual medley (2:14.21).  She also ranks second in the league in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events and the 400 individual medley (4:54.46). 

Illinois College’s Hannah Marks is looking to stake her claim as the top breaststroker in the MWC.  The sophomore has the top times in both the 100 (1:09.82) and 200 (2:34.04) events so far this season and has been named the MWC Performer of the Week twice. 

Erin Lengel will lead the Lawrence contingent into the three-day weekend.  Lengel is in line to win a couple of medals as she ranks second in the conference in the 50 freestyle (25.23) and the 100 butterfly (1:00.75).  The sophomore also ranks third in the 200 freestyle (2:00.73) and 500 freestyle (5:25.56). 

Ripon College’s Lattesha Hiser is the top Red Hawk competing over the three-day meet.  The senior is ranked sixth in the 50 freestyle (25.67) and fourth in the 100 freestyle (55.95).  Miranda Pasky is Monmouth College’s best chance at an individual medal.  Pasky is a solid breaststroker and has the fourth-best time in the 100 (1:13.59) and the seventh-best time in the 200 (2:43.92). 

In the relays, Lake Forest could score some big points to boost their effort.  The Foresters have recorded the top times in the 400 freestyle (3:43.30), 200 medley (1:54.25) and the 400 medley (4:10.16).  Guo, Christjansen and Brigit Dunne have swam legs on all three top times, while McCarthy has aided the effort in the 400 freestyle and the 400 medley.  Sarah Truxton fills the last spot on the 200 medley. 

The Lady Blues are the top seed in the 200 freestyle relay.  Marks will team with Hannah Baker, Marcella Jacquermain and Lindsay Bruce as they try to top the podium.  The Grinnell foursome of Devine-Mraz, Larson, Anna Galloway and Maria Venneri hold the top time in the 800 freestyle (8:16.55). 

Action at the 2018 MWC Championship begins at 10:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday morning and at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.