KENOSHA, Wis. — The Carthage College women's swimming and diving team turned in a strong performance on Friday, defeating Lake Forest College 188-107 at the Koenitzer Aquatic Center. The Firebirds recorded several event victories in the pool and on the diving boards, highlighted by multiple first-place finishes from Gracie Forlenza, Jill Kane, Lucy Brown, and Kendall Leistico.
Forlenza led the Firebirds with three individual event victories, winning the 200-yard freestyle in 1:58.20, the 50-yard freestyle in 25.49, and the 500-yard freestyle in 5:23.24. She also helped Carthage earn a runner-up finish in the 200-yard medley relay, alongside Mikella Mesina, Jill Kane, and Lois Klinger, with a time of 1:54.03. Kane secured first place in the 100-yard breaststroke, touching the wall in 1:13.68. She added a third-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:42.99. Lucy Brown claimed the 100-yard freestyle in 56.96, while also finishing second in the 50-yard freestyle in 25.66. Noelle Marsh added a third-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle, recording a time of 57.55, and placed third in the 50-yard freestyle in 25.88.
On the diving boards, Kendall Leistico won the one-meter diving event with a score of 175.75, while Isa Pico claimed first place in the three-meter diving event with a score of 178.45. Pico also finished second in the one-meter event with 167.60 points, while Leistico added a second-place finish in the three-meter event with 176.20 points. Carthage also received strong performances from several other swimmers. Mikella Mesina finished second in both the 100-yard backstroke (1:03.79) and the 200-yard backstroke (2:19.27). Jada Veer placed second in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:14.10 and third in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:21.24. Lois Klinger added a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly, touching the wall in 1:00.33, and a third-place finish in the 200-yard butterfly in 2:20.28.
Carthage's relay teams also delivered strong results. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Emily Steinberg, Noelle Marsh, Julia Braun, and Lucy Brown took first place in 1:43.32. The Firebirds' B relay, consisting of Klinger, Alina Litewiski, Morgen Oswald, and Laila Lee, finished third in 1:45.22. Carthage's 200-yard medley relay A team of Mesina, Kane, Klinger, and Forlenza finished second in 1:54.03.
The Firebirds will travel to Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the Calvin Quad Invite on Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7. The meet is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. EST on Friday, with additional sessions at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST on Saturday.
