AREA ATHLETE COLLEGE REPORT: KU swimmers sparkle in class and pool; Tanner nets 14 in win

Bartlesville High graduate Kate Steward is introduced during the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials, last June in Omaha, Neb. (Courtesy of Susan Steward)
Bartlesville High graduate Kate Steward is introduced during the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials, last June in Omaha, Neb. (Courtesy of Susan Steward)
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Following are summaries of how former prep athlete have fared recently in college action.

Kansas swimming

Bartlesville High’s impact on the University of Kansas women’s swim team has gone beyond the edges of the pool.

The three former Lady Bruins — seniors Kate Steward and Greta Olsen, and junior Erin Downey — are part of a team that excels in the water and the classroom.

Earlier this week, Kansas women’s swimming and diving was named Coaches Association of America All-America team.

The team’s cumulative grade-point average of 3.72 is tops in the Big 12 and the sixth highest overall in the NCAA — out of 7,218 teams.

Kansas swimming has recorded a 3.60 GPA-or-higher for eight-straight semesters.

Meanwhile, Kansas also recently endured a grueling outing against the University of Arkansas, won by Arkansas, 165-134.

Steward torpedoed to the championship in the women’s 200 individual medley (2:02.96).

Steward pulled away on the third leg and continued to power at full voltage through the final lap.

But, she had to settle for second in both the women’s 100 and 200 breaststroke races, events in which she finishes on top most the time.

Arkansas’ Vanessa Herrmann edged Steward in both runs, by less than a second in the 100 breaststroke.

Both competed last spring in the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials.

Steward also participated on Kansas’ second-place team in 200 medley relay against Arkansas, along with Drew Blose, Kaitlyn Witt and Keyla Brown.

Olsen competed in the 100 butterfly and the 50 relay.

Downey competed in the 100 and 200 breaststroke races.

Barron Tanner

The Bartlesville High graduate turned up is voltage to provide Salem (W. Va.) University an electric jolt in a 101-89 victory against Bluefield State.

The 6-foot-6 Tanner poured in 14 points, including two treys, pulled down four boards, gave out four assists, blocked a shot and made two steals.

Tanner knocked down two free throws with 2:59 left to make it a double-digit margin, 93-82.

During the final three minutes he also produced a steal that resulted a teammate’s layup, and grabbed an offensive rebound that resulted in another bucket.

In the first two minutes of the second half he assisted on a three-pointer and dialed in a layup.

Jena’ Williams

The Bartlesville High School graduate gave out six assists to fuel the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley beat Dixie State, 75-68, in women’s basketball action.

Williams also blocked two shots, seized three rebounds and scored two points.

In a 59-56 loss to Utah Valley, Williams hit two three-pointers, scored eight points, fingered two rebounds, spooned out two assists and recorded two steals.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: COLLEGE: KU swimmers, Tanner and Williams shine