The University of Idaho swimming and diving team competed in Seattle, Saturday against Seattle University and UC Davis.
The Vandals beat Seattle University 159-103 but could not hold on against UC Davis, falling 92.5-169.5. The Vandals have improved since their first meet of the season when they lost to Boise State by triple digits.
Freshman Rachel Millet put up the best times for the Vandals, and took the 200 free, 500 free and 100 fly. Millet won the 200 free by more than two seconds, then claimed the 500 free by just 0.2 seconds. Millett’s last win came in the 100 fly with a time of 56.66. Her times in the 100 fly and 200 free broke pool records.
The freshman also contributed to the 200 medley relay team. Millett, along with fellow freshman Erica Anderson, junior Kelsie Saxe and senior Calleagh Brown finished second with a time of 1:49.10.
Anderson was the only other Vandal swimmer with a victory coming out of the weekend, earning first in the 200 back. Anderson almost had a second win in the 100 back, but was edged out by UC Davis’ Lauren Damian.
“It was great to see Rachel and Erica win for the first time in college,” coach Mark Sowa said. “Our freshmen continue to improve but we felt like the entire team made big strides and is starting to figure things out.”
Several other Vandals came up with second place finishes. Senior Katie Hendricks finished the 50 free, the shortest event of the night, in 24.80. She also placed second in the 100 free with a time of 54.35. Saxe finished second in the 200 IM in addition to her contribution on the second place finishing medley relay team.
The Vandals also took second place in the last event of the night — the 400 free relay. The team, consisting of Hendricks, sophomores Megan Venlos and Sammi Mischkot and senior Si Jia Pang finished in 3:37.23 behind UC Davis.
“It was great to come here and get our first win,” Sowa said. “As well as give a really good Aggie team a run for their money.”
The Vandal swim and dive team will hit the road again Nov. 5 when they travel to Flagstaff to face Northern Arizona.