Emma Paulson’s victory in the women’s 200 backstroke capped off the St. Thomas swim and dive team’s season on Saturday night at the NCAA championships in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Paulson, who won the event by over a second with a time of 1:56.33, was also named the NCAA’s “Swimmer of the Year.”

Paulson had qualified fifth in the preliminary round with a time of 1:59.98. She was the only Tommie to qualify for the finals during the preliminary rounds earlier Saturday.

“Emma’s performance this year was absolutely phenomenal,” St. Thomas coach Scott Blanchard said.

Sophomore Warren Melton competed in the men’s 1650 freestyle, an event that does not have a preliminary round. Melton finished 22nd with a time of 16:04.38.

Senior Tom Osmolak competed in the men’s 200 backstroke, finishing fourth in the consolation finals with a time of 1:48.32.

A women’s 400 freestyle relay team of Paulson and freshmen Alexandra Howard, Kathryn Smarjesse and Katelyn Strauss finished second in the consolation finals with a time of 3:26.82.

Senior Max Hamilton finished 33rd in the men’s 200 breaststroke with a preliminary round time of 2:08.80.

A men’s 400 freestyle relay team of Melton, senior Mike Lanz and sophomores Bailey Biwer and Brady Anderson finished 21st.

As a team, the Tommie men finished 15th at the NCAA championships while the women finished 13th.

Blanchard was very pleased with the support the team received during the meet.

“The support we had back on campus, through our alumni and parents who came to watch helped us dig deep and have a very strong meet,” Blanchard said.

Blanchard was also proud of how his team came together this season.

“I’m not sure if I can put into words how spectacular our season was,” he said. “Family has always been our strength and we swam like one.”

Taylor Smith can be reached at smit9660@stthomas.edu.