JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa – Purdue swimmer Kate Beavon was part of a thrilling finish in an hour-long race decided by one second, winning the 5K race at the South African National Open Water Championship at Marina Martinique.
Beavon out touched Amica de Jager in a sprint to the finish line, winning with a time of 1 hour, 2 minutes and 13 seconds. De Jager clocked in at 1:02:14.
The Johannesburg native returned to her homeland during spring break at Purdue. Summer is drawing to a close in mid-March in the Southern Hemisphere.
As a junior in September 2021, Beavon won the individual title in the 5K race at the CSCAA Open Water National Championships held at Lone Star Lake near Lawrence, Kansas. It was her open water debut at the time. She finished seventh among a field of 110 swimmers at Open Water Nationals this season, which was held at Biscayne Bay in South Florida.
Beavon was among the five Purdue women to race at Open Water Nationals in December this season. Freshman Reagan Mattice also finished top 15 in her open water debut.
Beavon plans to remain a part of Purdue's roster for the 2023-24 school year, returning for a fifth year while exercising the eligibility extension related to the COVID-19 pandemic. She ranks among Purdue's all-time leaderboards in the 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyle.
Beavon out touched Amica de Jager in a sprint to the finish line, winning with a time of 1 hour, 2 minutes and 13 seconds. De Jager clocked in at 1:02:14.
The Johannesburg native returned to her homeland during spring break at Purdue. Summer is drawing to a close in mid-March in the Southern Hemisphere.
As a junior in September 2021, Beavon won the individual title in the 5K race at the CSCAA Open Water National Championships held at Lone Star Lake near Lawrence, Kansas. It was her open water debut at the time. She finished seventh among a field of 110 swimmers at Open Water Nationals this season, which was held at Biscayne Bay in South Florida.
Beavon was among the five Purdue women to race at Open Water Nationals in December this season. Freshman Reagan Mattice also finished top 15 in her open water debut.
Beavon plans to remain a part of Purdue's roster for the 2023-24 school year, returning for a fifth year while exercising the eligibility extension related to the COVID-19 pandemic. She ranks among Purdue's all-time leaderboards in the 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyle.
#BoilerUp Kate!! #SpringBreak back in South Africa (where it's still technically Summer). pic.twitter.com/ubTF6SGvTi
— Purdue Women's Swim-Dive (@PurdueWSwim) March 12, 2023