The Emory University Women's Swimming & Diving nearly swept the opening night of swimming events to set a commanding lead at the University Athletic Association Championships in Chicago, IL.
Through one night of competition, the Eagles have built almost a 200-point lead on the rest of field. With the help of four event titles on Thursday, Emory sits in front with 621 points with NYU in second place with 437 points.
Senior Meg Taylor and junior Maria Turcanu garnered event championships on the evening with Taylor edging out teammates Fiona Muir and Zoe Walker to win the 50 Freestyle and Turcanu claiming the top spot in the 500 Freestyle. Taylor led five Eagles in the 50 Free A final, touching with a winning time of 23.32, just seconds ahead of All-UAA finishers Muir (23.44) and Walker (23.49) and in the 500 Free, Turcanu recorded a sub-five minute time, touching at 4:55.29.
Muir, Walker and Taylor added event titles Thursday night with the trio teaming with senior Hannah Lally to capture the 200 Freestyle Relay crown with a time of 1:33.04 and in the 400 Medley Relay, Muir swam the anchor leg along with junior Caroline Olson, sophomore Lucy Daro and freshman Edie Bates as the group posted a winning mark of 3:44.97.
Adding All-UAA finishes for the Eagles on the evening were senior Julia Durmer and freshman Clio Hancock in the 200 IM. Durmer took silver in the event with a time of 2:02.10 with Hancock placing third at 2:03.68.
The UAA Championships continue on Friday with the men's 3-meter diving, 200 Medley Relay, 400 IM, 100 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Backstroke and 800 Freestyle Relay.