Dukes Set New Records at the UNC Invitational

Sunday, March 1

Chapel Hill, N.C.

James Madison University

UNC Invitational

3/1/2020 9:10:00 PM | Swimming & Diving

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Two members of the James Madison swimming and diving team set new school records at the UNC Invitational on Sunday, Mar. 1 in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Senior Bonnie Zhang broke the record in the 100-yard free-style that she had set last year at the same Invitational. Zhang clocked a time of 48.37 to break not only program's record but the Colonial Athletic Association's record as well. The senior beat her previous record time by .01.

Junior Julianna Jones set a new personal best and school record in the 1650-yard freestyle at the invitational. Jones clocked a time of 16:11.44 to break the record time she had previously set, 16:18.65.

Both swimmers had qualifying times for the NCAA Championships but have to wait until the selection to see if they will compete in the meet.

Quoting Coach Pedersen
"This meet serves as a last chance to qualify for NCAAs," said Coach Pedersen. "When evaluating Bonnie and Jules's swims from CAAs, we felt they could go faster with another opportunity to race…all the credit goes to the two of them for buying in and coming to this meet. I am so happy for them and proud beyond words. The selection process for the NCAAs is very complicated and there are no grantees but they did everything in their power to put themselves in a more favorable position to make the meet."

Up Next
If the Jones and Zhang's qualifying times hold, the two will travel to Atlanta Georgia to compete in the NCAA Championships on Mar. 18-21