Dukes Fall to Liberty in Early Season – James Madison University Athletics

LYNCHBURG, Va. – James Madison swimming and diving fell to Liberty, 190.5-105.5, to open the 2024-25 season Saturday at Liberty Natatorium.

Jamie Cornwell, Jess Prine, Angela Ritchie and Madison Wimmer placed in numerous swimming events for the Dukes while Alexa Holloway won a 3-yard board and was followed by a JMU kick on a 1-yarder.

I’m quoting the head coach Dane Pederson

“Since it was our first meeting and our first chance to acquire data points, it was a great learning experience. We learned a lot about ourselves, the races and what work we need to focus on moving forward in the coming weeks. It wasn’t all we wanted, but it gives us invaluable insight. Congratulations to Liberty. They are a well-coached team and they performed great.

Diving

• Holloway won on the 3-meter board with a score of 271.58.
• Kate Vitolo won the 1-meter board with a score of 252.30 and was followed in order by Natalie Jones (246.23) and Maddie O’Meara (228.45).

Individual swimming

• Cornwell took second in the 50 free (23.89) and placed third in the 100 free (52.59).
• Pryne earned two third-place finishes in the 1,000 free (10:39.63) and 200 IM (2:08.10).
• The third Duke to place in multiple events was Ritchie, placing second in the 500 Free (5:07.48) and finishing third in the 200 Fly (2:07.60).
• In his first collegiate meet, Wimmer took second in the 200 free (1:52.88) and third in the 500 free (5:07.64).
• In 100 chests, Suzanne Earnshaw swam a time of 1:06.60 and took third place.
• Finishing in the top three in the 200 Fly with Richie was Maddie Coombswho swam a time of 2:06.87 and finished second.
• Grace Bussum added a second-place finish in the 100 Fly to JMU’s results, swimming a time of 57.80.

Relay swimming

• JMU finished second in the 200 medley relay, as a team of Sarah Polleybusum, Alex Volk and Cornwell swam a time of 1:47.02.
• In the 400 free relay, Volk, Bussum, Wimmer and Cornwell finished second with a time of 3:30.83.

Next up

The Dukes return to the pool on Saturday, November 9 when they travel to Huntington, WV for a dual meet with Marshall.