Gonzalez Posts Top Time Among Five with RU at National Events
Dec 12 | Women's Swimming & Diving
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers' representation at the 2025 Winter Junior Nationals got off to a strong start on Thursday, led by RU freshman Emillianna Gonzalez in the 50 Freestyle.
Competing at the Indiana University Natatorium at the East regional site at the 18 and under event, 17 year old freshman Emillianna Gonzalez swam the 50 freestyle in 22.40, which is the second fastest time in Rutgers program history. Gonzalez, who finished fifth in the event, continues to better her time in the event and move up RU's all-time top-10 leaderboard in the event. Earlier this month, she touched the wall in 22.54 in the 50 Free, which then was the fourth fastest time in RU history. The freshman who earlier this year was named the Big Ten Swimmer of the Week and Big Ten Freshman of the Week had entered the top-10 list earlier this year with a 22.83, and also won the 50 Free race when RU competed at No. 25 Princeton.
Gonzalez will also compete in two more events at the event, the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke on Friday.
Competing at the West regional site at the University of Texas' Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, Texas, RU signee Journei Webster also had top-10 finish, placing 10th with a time of 22.77. She will compete in three more events at the Junior Nationals, the 100 Free, 100 Butterfly and 100 Backstroke.
Webster is a member of a talented eight-member class of signees recently announced by the program. Two others are set to compete at the US Junior Nationals. Grace Sorensen will swim in the 100 and 200 Butterfly and Madelyn Cassidy will swim in the 100 Butterfly and 200 Backstroke. Additionally, fellow signee Valentina Giannini is competing currently at the Italian Nationals.
Competing at the Indiana University Natatorium at the East regional site at the 18 and under event, 17 year old freshman Emillianna Gonzalez swam the 50 freestyle in 22.40, which is the second fastest time in Rutgers program history. Gonzalez, who finished fifth in the event, continues to better her time in the event and move up RU's all-time top-10 leaderboard in the event. Earlier this month, she touched the wall in 22.54 in the 50 Free, which then was the fourth fastest time in RU history. The freshman who earlier this year was named the Big Ten Swimmer of the Week and Big Ten Freshman of the Week had entered the top-10 list earlier this year with a 22.83, and also won the 50 Free race when RU competed at No. 25 Princeton.
Gonzalez will also compete in two more events at the event, the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke on Friday.
Competing at the West regional site at the University of Texas' Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, Texas, RU signee Journei Webster also had top-10 finish, placing 10th with a time of 22.77. She will compete in three more events at the Junior Nationals, the 100 Free, 100 Butterfly and 100 Backstroke.
Webster is a member of a talented eight-member class of signees recently announced by the program. Two others are set to compete at the US Junior Nationals. Grace Sorensen will swim in the 100 and 200 Butterfly and Madelyn Cassidy will swim in the 100 Butterfly and 200 Backstroke. Additionally, fellow signee Valentina Giannini is competing currently at the Italian Nationals.
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