Arkansas Leads After First Day In Houston

Results

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Claiming six event titles Friday, the Arkansas swimming and diving team wraps up the first of two days at the Houston tri-meet, leading both the Houston Cougars and Vanderbilt Commodores.

The Razorbacks won each of the last four events of the evening to build their lead over the Cougars and Commodores, as Arkansas leads Houston 107-79 and leads Vanderbilt 153-30 heading into Saturday.

“I thought we came together as a team today and showed great resiliency,” said head coach Neil Harper. “We had a good relay to start the meet but got caught right near the end. A lesser team would have folded. We bounced back immediately. Brooke led the divers with another school record in the three-meter and then Peyton and Ayumi went 1-2 in the 1000 free, then we were back in front. Jessie, Chloe and Kiera had some key wins also in the 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 50 free, respectively, that continues our rally. We have to come back tomorrow with the same intensity and belief. Houston is one of the most improved teams in the country, so we will be challenged in every event.”

Thirteen Razorbacks combined to record 16 top-three finishes out of the possible 30 in Friday’s 10 events. Senior Chloe Hannam and Jessie Garrison, along with sophomore Ayumi Macias, each led the way with two.

Freshman Peyton Palsha got things started for Arkansas, as the St. Petersburg, Florida, native recorded the first win for the Razorbacks in the 1000 freestyle, touching in 10:04.75. Macias trailed right after, finishing second in 10:07.56. Macias turned right around and swam in the 200 free, recording her second second-place finish, touching in 1:51.04. Senior Chelsea Tatlow finished third in 1:52.03 and junior Marlena Pigliacampi went fourth in 1:52.45.

The Razorbacks had at least one swimmer finish in the top-two in all 10 events Friday and had two finish in the top-three in seven of the eight individual events.

The second win for the Razorbacks came in the 200 butterfly, as Garrison touched first in 2:00.82, while Pigliacampi recorded a second-place showing, finishing in 2:02.72.

In the 50 free, Arkansas swept the podium, as junior Kiera Michailoff-Russell led the way in 23.90. Junior Annah Carney and senior Olivia Weekley followed, tying for second in 24.08.

Arkansas finished first and second in the 200 individual medley, as Hannam touched first in 2:03.60, while Garrison touched second in 2:04.53.

On the boards, freshman Brooke Schultz ran away from the field, scoring a school record 384.53 on the three-meter springboard. It marks the fourth time this season Schultz has broken the record in the event. Senior Nicole Gillis scored a 315.83 to finish third.

EVENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 19 – 10 a.m.
1. 200 Medley Relay
2. 400 Individual Medley
3. 100 Freestyle
4. 200 Backstroke
5. 100 Butterfly
6. 500 Freestyle
7. One-Meter Diving
8. 200 Breaststroke
9. 400 Freestyle Relay

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