University of Maine swimmer Juliana McDonald placed fifth in the finals of the 50-yard freestyle on Thursday at the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America’s National Invitational Swimming and Diving Championship hosted by Cleveland State University.
McDonald touched in at 23.02 seconds behind winner Kate Colwell of Oakland University, who clocked a 22.88. McDonald entered the finals as the second qualifier following her 22.93 performance in the morning trials.
On Friday morning, McDonald competed in the trials of the 100-yard backstroke. She finished the race in 57.32 but did not qualify for the finals. The winning time in the prelim was 53.84.
At the America East Championship in February, McDonald received the Outstanding Performer award with wins in the 50 free (22.89), 100 free (49.48) and the 200 free (1:49.0). McDonald’s times in the 50 and the 100 free established conference records.