Crimson Sweeps Day 1 of Harvard Invitational

Hinkle and the Crimson got off to a good start for the weekend (photo courtesy DSPics.com).

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Junior Katy Hinkle contributed to three event wins to lead the Harvard women’s swimming and diving team to a sweep of all five events on the first day of the Harvard Swimming and Diving Invitational. Senior Alexandra Clarke and junior Katherine Pickard also won individual events for Harvard, and Pickard contributed to a relay victory.

Hinkle won the 50-yard freestyle and also led off Harvard’s victorious 200 free and 400 medley relay squads. She had the two fastest times of the day in the 50 free, finishing her heat in 23.33 and the final in 23.65. Harvard swimmers took the top five spots in the event, as Hinkle was followed to the wall by Kelly Robinson, Ellie Johnson, Ali Slack and Camille Hendrix. Hinkle, Slack, Hendrix and Johnson started off the day with a win in the 200 free relay in 1:33.58.

Pickard’s wins came in the 200 individual medley and the 400 medley relay. She was one of four Crimson finalists in the 200 IM, winning in 2:03.43. Sophie Morgan placed fourth. Pickard anchored her winning relay group, which finished in 3:46.01. Mackenzie Luick and Robinson swam the middle two legs.

Clarke picked up her first victory of the season in the 500 free, pacing five Harvard swimmers in the top five places. She finished in 4:49.10, one-fourth of a second ahead of sophomore Catherine Zagroba. Christine Kaufmann, Meghan Leddy and Kate Mills were the next three finishers.

The other teams competing at the meet are Columbia, Rutgers, Sacred Heart and Wagner. The meet continues Saturday with preliminary heats at 11 a.m. and finals at 6 p.m.