by Violet Kennedy '21
It didn’t take long this Women’s Swimming and Diving season for junior Taylor Martinek to hit her stride.
Or, rather, her stroke.
At Bush Pool for the Hamline University Invite last Saturday, Martinek secured not one, but two personal victories. Martinek demolished the competition in the 100 Meter Backstroke with a time of 1:01.17, three seconds ahead of her fellow competitors.
She also won the 50 Meter Freestyle in 25.32 seconds.
That was not the only impressive contribution of the day for the Iowa native. She was also involved in two relays with top-three results. Joined by fellow teammates Bryce White, Taylor Hanson and Nadine Porzondek, Martinek’s team’s time of 1:46.11 placed them second in the 200 Freestyle Relay. Martinek, White, Hanson and Mara Boulanger also secured third in the 200 Medley Relay with a 1:59.62 time.
Martinek also showed her noteworthy talent the week before against Gustavus Adolphus at Bush Pool on Saturday, October 28. In a nail-biting race, Martinek won the 200 Meter Freestyle by less than a second with her time of 2:04.55. She also hit the water hard in the 100 Meter Backstroke, with a winning time of 1:01.15.
Martinek and the Pipers hit the road this week for a meet Friday night at Carleton. the meet begins at 6:30 p.m.