INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Mount Holyoke College swimmer Cathleen Pruden opened competition at the 2014 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships on Wednesday morning. The sophomore competed today in the preliminaries of the 200-individual medley, posting a lifetime-best mark in the event.
Pruden (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft School) posted a time of 2:06.98, finishing 21st overall of 44 total competitors. While she does not advance to tonight's finals in the event, the time she posted eclipsed her own school record in the event of 2:09.32.
The 200-IM event was the first of three events which Pruden is set to compete in at this year's Nationals, which are the first of her career. She will compete in her signature event, the 400-IM on Thursday and round out the meet on Saturday in the 1650-freestyle.
Pruden secured her position at this year's Nationals after having an outstanding effort at the NEWMAC Championships two weekends ago. During that meet, she posted six school records, achieved three NCAA B Cuts and defended her title in the 400-IM event with a meet and conference-record time of 4:25.03. Additionally, she finished no less than seventh in any of the seven events she competed. Among her top performances, included the 400-IM, finishing third in the 500-free, where she eclipsed her own school record with a time of 5:04.29, and third in the 1650-free with another school record.
A dominant force for the Lyons this season, Pruden has recorded 41 first-place finishes, including 34 individual wins. In addition to finishing third or better in 51 of 57 total races, she has placed no less than seventh in any event. A former standout at the Ravencroft School, she has had at least one win in all 12 meets, including 11 with two or more victories.
In her career, Pruden is a three-time NEWMAC and an eight-time Seven Sisters champion. She helped the Lyons finish fifth during her rookie season, while leading the squad to sixth overall at this season's meet. Currently, Pruden holds 13 of Mount Holyoke's 23 school records for swimming.
Photo courtesy of RJB Sports Photography.
