Written by Sports Writing Students, Olivia Koeneman '27 and Kieran Ripken '24

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Lucy Peterson (Sr., St. Paul) and Matt Strom (Sr., Rochester) began the final meet of their decorated collegiate careers on Wednesday morning in North Carolina. 

"The morning was a great way to start the meet!" said Peterson. "The energy was high and the GAC crew was having a blast from the start."

In her first of three swims this meet, Peterson placed 26th with a time of 23.63 in the 50-yard freestyle. A year ago at the national meet, Peterson placed 37th in 23.82.

"It was a lot of fun to have the opportunity to compete in the 50 free," said Peterson. "I didn't have the exact outcome I was hoping for, but I am still so grateful to be at this meet in the first place!"

Peterson, the MIAC Champion in the event, is no stranger to competing on the biggest stage in Division III against a collection of elite athletes. The past two years, Peterson has qualified in relays with teammates; a year ago, two relays earned All-American Honorable Mention.

Strom started his meet with the 500 freestyle. For the past three years, Strom has been the MIAC Champion in this event, each year just missing the invitation to the NCAA Championship. 

Happy to have the opportunity to race in an elite atmosphere after years of anticipation, Strom touched the wall in 4:33.32, placing 26th in the 500-yard freestyle. 

"I was pleased with how both Lucy and Matt prepared for their races. I thought they swam well," said Head Coach Jon Carlson. "This is such a tough meet to get into. It's crazy that if you hold your seed time, you move up in the standings. If we can hold time the last two days, things should turn out pretty well."

Peterson will compete next on day three of the NCAA Championships in the 100-yard backstroke; the senior is seeded 41st with a time of 58.15. Strom will join Peterson in the 100 backstroke and is ranked 33rd with an entry time of 49.46. 

The meet will start at 9 a.m. CST Friday.