Howard Sutphen advance to Day 2 finals of Grand Prix
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The No. 18 University of Arkansas swimming and diving team qualified two swimmers, freshman Sarah Howard and sophomore Shara Sutphen, for the finals of the 200 breast and 400 free on day two of the Missouri Grand Prix in Columbia, Mo.A day after setting a personal best time of 5:07.46 in the final of the 400 IM, Howard placed third in the ‘B’ final of the 200 breast, touching in at a time of 2:44.25. Her prelim time of 2:44.54 placed her tenth, earning her a place in the finals.
“Sarah swam a very good breaststroke tonight in the finals,” assistant Razorback coach Todd Mann said. “I’m very pleased with her results today and through the first two days of the meet.”
Howard also swam in the ‘C’ final of the 400 free after finishing 21st in the prelims with a time of 4:31.07. In the finals, Howard came in seventh in a time of 4:35.04.
Sutphen made her first appearance in the Grand Prix finals on Saturday after finishing eighth in the prelims of the 200 breast with a time of 2:43.16. Sutphen finished eighth in the ‘A’ head final of the event on Saturday night in a time of 2:45.06.
“Shara made her first big final of her career today,” Mann said. “I’m very happy with her results in the 200 breast.”
Her eighteenth place finish with a time of 4:30.52, in the prelims of the 400 free qualified Sutphen her spot in the ‘B’ final on Saturday night where she came in seventh with a time of 4:33.56.
“Neither Sarah or Shara performed the way we wanted in the 400 free,” Mann said. “Today was a bit of an up and down day with the results.”
Freshman Maddie Fogel joined Howard and Sutphen in the prelims of the 400 free where she finished 48th in a time of 4:40.09 while senior Emily Fletcher competed in the prelims of the 200 IM where she touched in 34th in a time of 2:31.38.
Day three of the Missouri Grand Prix will kick off at the Mizzou Aquatics Center on Sunday morning with the prelims for the women’s 200 back, 100 free, 200 fly and 800 free with the finals of each event to follow in the evening session. For updated results and for complete coverage of Razorback swimming and diving, log onto ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
Saturday’s Results by Event
200 IM Prelims34. Fletcher – 2:31.38
200 Breast Prelims8. Sutphen – 2:43.1610. Howard – 2:44.54
400 Free Prelims18. Sutphen – 4:30.5221. Howard – 4:31.0748. Fogel – 4:40.09
200 Breast FinalsA Final8. Sutphen – 2:45.06B Final3. Howard – 2:44.25
400Free FinalsB Final7. Sutphen – 4:33.56C Final7. Howard – 4:35.04
