The Pomona-Pitzer women’s swim and dive team swam their way to the 2024 SCIAC Championship on February 25, winning their fifth title in the last eight years and their 24th title in program history.
JP Gowdy and his staff were named the SCIAC Women’s Swim and Dive Coaching Staff of the Year. Alexandra Turvey PO’24 earned her third-straight SCIAC Swimmer of the Year, and Bennett Jones PO’27 was named the SCIAC Newcomer of the Year.
The Sagehens ended the meet with 1,024 team points, surging past the CMS Athenas (911 points) on day three and putting the exclamation point on their victory on the final day of competition.
The Sagehens started the night with a strong performance from Jones in the 1650 free, fighting through a steady race to take second. In the 200 back, Alanna Baker PO’26 took second overall with Pitzer’s Abbey Liao ’24 taking sixth. Pomona-Pitzer was overpowering in the 100 free with Turvey winning with a scorching time of 49.83 seconds and Valerie Mello ’25, Chesna Pelka ’26, and Sabrina Wang PO’26 taking second through fourth. Katie Gould PO’24 and Francesca Coppo PO’27 also contributed to the Sagehens’ 100 free dominance with the duo taking sixth and eighth.
Emmie Appl PO’25 was crowned the champion in the 200 breaststroke. In the 200 fly, Abby Smith PO’24 claimed the championship with Asha Bansal PO’26 taking third. The Sagehens flew to the finish line in the 400 free relay as Turvey, Gould, Pelka, and Mello combined for a time of 3:21.64.
Adapted from the Pomona-Pitzer Athletics press release “Sagehens Reign Victorious! Women’s Swim and Dive Wins 24th SCIAC Championship.” To learn more, please visit Sagehen Athletics.
