[Women's Swimming and Diving] Flames have great start at NAIA National Championships

COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Flames are off to a great start.

College of Saint Mary swimmers are competing in the 2019 NAIA National Championships this week at the Columbus Aquatic Center. The meet kicked off Wednesday with just one event – the 800 freestyle relay.

The CSM relay team of Emily Jacobson (FR/La Vista, Neb.), Morgan Niewohner (JR/Beemer, Neb.), Kailee Sunada (FR/Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Kirsten Aken (SO/Kansas City, Mo.) stopped the clock in a school-record breaking time of 8:07.48 and placed 13th in the event. That gave the Flames 8 team points, which already gives the Flames more team points than they have ever earned at nationals.

"It was a great first race right out of the gate," CSM Coach Cole Malin said. "We set a new school record, placed 13th overall and earned 8 points making it the best finish in CSM history. Emily Jacobson also started the race off in school-record breaking fashion for her open 200 freestyle in the event."

The meet continues Thursday with prelims at 9 a.m. and finals at 5 p.m.