The Shippensburg University women's swimming team opened its 2023-24 season Wednesday with a dual-meet victory over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent Kutztown, defeating the Golden Bears by a score of 134-128.
 
Shippensburg used its depth in three key individual events to gain the victory in the dual meet. SU swept the 200-yard freestyle, with freshman Michelle Kubiak winning with a time of 2:04.12. Junior Allie Keeling and senior Marissa Bittner finished second and third with times of 2:04.87 and 2:09.73 respectively.
 
The Raiders then swept the 100-yard butterfly later in the meet, with senior Michaela Hersh winning with a time of 1:03.37. Junior Kristin Gebhard and senior Rachel Johnston finished second and third with times of 1:08.84 and 1:09.54.
 
Shippensburg and Kutztown were tied at the second intermission at 113 points, before the Raiders used a 1-2-4 finish in the 200-yard IM to take the lead for good. Senior Alyssa Tomb won the event with a time of 2:18.55, with junior Gracie Wetzel and Hersh taking second and fourth with times of 2:21.33 and 2:23.44.
 
The Raiders also picked up individual wins from freshman Jazz Barry in the 50-yard breaststroke (31.30), Tomb in the 100-yard freestyle (57.63), and freshman Charlee Shaw in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:11.57).
 
Shippensburg returns to action on Friday at West Chester; the Raiders will face the host Golden Rams and Southern Connecticut State in a tri-meet.
 
200 Medley Relay
2. Makennah Fickett, Jazz Barry, Michaela Hersh, Michelle Kubiak 1:53.83
3. Caroline Schweigert, Alyssa Tomb, Kristin Gebhard, Sammy Taylor 1:58.72
Marissa Bittner, Emily Newton, Grace Reagan, Gracie Wetzel 2:01.90
 
1000 Freestyle
2. Carol Fabian 12:02.90
3. Mackenzie Beerman 12:18.22
Olivia Sitkowski 12:38.79
 
200 Freestyle
1. Michelle Kubiak 2:04.12
2. Allie Keeling 2:04.87
3. Marissa Bittner 2:09.73
 
50 Backstroke
2. Makennah Fickett 28.31
3. Sammy Taylor 30.15
4. Caroline Schweigert 30.29
 
50 Breast
1. Jazz Barry 31.30
4. Gracie Wetzel 34.36
Emily Newton 35.26
 
100 Butterfly
1. Michaela Hersh 1:03.37
2. Kristin Gebhard 1:08.84
3. Rachel Johnston 1:09.54
 
50 Freestyle
2. Lauren Croll 26.22
4. Makennah Fickett 27.05
Emma Grove 27.63
 
100 Freestyle
1. Alyssa Tomb 57.63
3. Allie Keeling 58.36
Brea Fennick 1:01.77
 
100 Backstroke
2. Michaela Hersh 1:04.44
3. Caroline Schweigert 1:05.34
5. Grace Reagan 1:07.86
 
100 Breaststroke
1. Charlee Shaw 1:11.57
5. Lexi Wagner 1:17.98
Jenna Ober 1:18.29
 
500 Freestyle
2. Michelle Kubiak 5:29.91
4. Jordyn Kendig 6:07.94
5. Charlee Shaw 6:08.17
 
50 Butterfly
3. Kristin Gebhard 29.66
4. Rachel Johnston 29.97
Carol Fabian 31.26
 
200 IM
1. Alyssa Tomb 2:18.55
2. Gracie Wetzel 2:21.33
4. Michaela Hersh 2:23.44
 
200 Freestyle Relay
2. Makennah Fickett, Michelle Kubiak, Allie Keeling, Sammy Taylor 1:45.31
3. Jazz Barry, Charlee Shaw, Grace Reagan, Marissa Bittner 1:48.22
Brea Fennick, Emma Grove, Lauren Croll, Mackenzie Beerman 1:48.53