Lady Flames swim and dive reclaims ASUN title for sixth consecutive season

It’s time to call it a dynasty. The Liberty women’s swimming and diving team won its sixth straight conference title at the ASUN Swimming & Diving Championships.

The Lady Flames traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee to compete in the ASUN Swimming & Diving Championships at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center. Coming off five consecutive years of winning the ASUN title, this year proved no different for Liberty.

Demolishing their opponents, the Lady Flames won by over 100 points. They finished with 897.5 points; Queens was the runner-up with 792 points, and FGCU placed third with 579.5 points.

However, the victory did not come as easily as the final score indicated. The tournament began Wednesday, Feb. 21 when the Lady Flames fell behind Queens early on. Despite only being in second place and trailing by 15.5 points, the defending champs were determined to get back on top. 

With 12 top eight finishes, eight of those being podium finishes on Wednesday night, Liberty had numerous positives. Some highlights included senior Maddie Freece winning the 3-meter dive, which qualified her for NCAA Zone Diving Championships, junior Kate Baker earning her first career conference medal, and Liberty becoming the first team to take first, second and third in the 3-meter dive in CCSA and ASUN Championships history.

Moving on to day two, the Lady Flames rebounded incredibly, taking a 66.5-point lead over Queens with 13 top eight finishes, including 14 podiums and three victories. Freshman Kamryn Cannings led the charge, winning the women’s 100 butterfly with a school-best time of 51.26, ranking top 10 in the country. Liberty divers took the top three spots for the second consecutive night, with sophomore Mary Herndon claiming her first career conference individual title. With an excellent second day, the Flames held a commanding lead going into the back half of the competition.

Day three was no different, with Liberty continuing to grow its lead over Queens to nearly 100 points. With 10 top eight finishes, five of those being podiums and three being victories, the Flames grabbed a lead that they would not let slip away. 

Senior Abbie Shaw won her fifth career CCSA gold medal in the women’s 100 backstroke with a time of 54.27, while Cannings continued her tear, winning the women’s 200 butterfly with a conference meet record of 1:56.12.

Having an enormous day, Liberty posted 13 top eight finishes with a victory and seven podiums to conclude the championships. Head Coach Jake Shellenberger was voted the ASUN Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year for the sixth time, third in a row. Cannings was awarded co-Most Outstanding Freshman of the ASUN meet, sharing the honor with Queens’ Abigail Zboran. Freece rounded out the honors for Liberty, being named Most Outstanding Diver of the meet for her third time. 

Bessire is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on X.