Tampa Women Head to Final Day With Lead at SSC Championships

ORLANDO, Fla. - With day three of four complete at the 2014 Sunshine State Conference Swimming Championships, the University of Tampa women remain on top as the Spartan men are within striking distance in third place.

Tampa women now hold first place by 66 points, accumulating 621 total points through the first 26 events. Florida Southern (555), Nova Southeastern (430), Florida Tech (263), Saint Leo (250), Rollins (216) and Lynn (186) are also competing.

On the men's side, Florida Southern is the overall leader with 653 points. Nova Southeastern and Tampa occupy second and third place with 528 and 526 points respectively. Florida Tech (292), Saint Leo (218) and Rollins (157) make up the rest of the field.

The Spartans opened the finals with a second-place effort in the women's 200 Medley Relay. The team of Danielle Bach, Alex Hipolito, Emily Grams and Marisa Barton logged a time of 1:45.47.

Hipolito would become the SSC champion in the next event, the 400 IM. The senior had a time of 4:24.49 as teammate Lexi Webb was third in the race at 4:31.77. In the men's 400 IM, Zane Hranac was third with an effort of 3:57.89.

Catherine Parker added the second SSC individual title of the evening for Tampa's women, championing the 100 Fly with a time of 56.10.

Senior Heather Glenday earned 16 points for the Spartans with a third-place finish in the 200 Free as her time was registered at 1:51.69. In the men's 200 Free, Damen Pheiffer was also third, as his time was 1:38.89.

Philip Nordenberg added a third-place finish for Tampa in the 100 Breast, clocking a 55.88 time in the race.

Tampa's men would conclude the night with an SSC championship from senior Karl Burdis. He captured the 100 Back in a time of 48.37 as teammate Runar Borgen was also third at 49.45.

In the individual rankings, Tampa's women have a pair of swimmers at the top in Briana Murphy (42) and Alex Hipolito (40). The duo head into the final day of competition in a close battle with Florida Southern's Alli Crenshaw (40).

The final day of competition will begin at 10 a.m., for the prelims, and conclude with the 5 p.m., finals. Saturday's events include the Fastest Heat 1,650, 200 Back, 100 Free, 200 Breast, 200 Fly and 400 Free Relay.

Follow live video coverage, check out results and recaps and the full schedule of the 2014 SSC Swimming Championship at the SSC Swimming Championship Central page on www.SunshineStateConference.com.