The St. Catherine University swimming and diving team has opened the 2016 portion of the season schedule with two solid team performances – the most recent coming this weekend at the Grinnell College Invite. Led by another spectacular grouping of swims from first-year standout Alissa Ellingson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan), the Wildcats placed fifth out of a field of 13 Division I, II and III teams. For her efforts, Ellingson has been named the Wildcat Athlete of the Week.Â
Friday, Ellingson was strong in both her individual swims capturing second place twice. In the 200 Butterfly, Ellingson improved from the prelims to clock a time of 2:17.37 that was behind that only of a Division I competitor. She then shaved a second off her time from the morning session with a time of 2:29.56 in the 200 Breaststroke. Ellingson also helped the Wildcats to a ninth-place finish in the 400 Medley Relay.Â
Saturday, Ellingson stood out in the 100 Butterfly as she again improved fromt he morning to the evening swimming under one minute for just the second time this season with a time of 59.68. In the 50 Freestyle, Ellingson moved from fifth to third in the finals with a time of 25.26 that was just .15 seconds from her season-best time. Additionally, Ellingson helped the Wildcats to 11th place in the 200 Medley Relay and swam the fastest leg as the anchor of the 400 Freestyle Relay with her swim clocking in at 56.55.Â
This season, Ellingson ranks in the top 11 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in seven individual events. The first-year boasts the top time in the 100 Individual Medley and second-best in both the 100 and 200 Butterfly events.Â
Ellingson and the Wildcats return to their home pool for two meets this weekend. Friday, the Wildcats host Macalester College at 6 p.m. in the Butler Center. Then, Saturday the Wildcats host the University of Minnesota-Morris for diving only at 9 a.m. before facing Concordia College at 12 p.m.Â
