Lady'Back Freshmen Impressive in Season Opener

FAYETTEVILLE-The University of Arkansas freshmen made quite a first impression in their Lady Razorback debut. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as Arkansas fell to Nebraska 184-115, Saturday, Oct. 15.

Freshman Summer Jackson led the Lady’Backs with three individual victories. Jackson swept the sprint freestyle events with wins in the 50 and 100 free and also added top honors in the 100 fly.

Arkansas swimming head coach Anne Goodman James said she was pleased with the Lady’Backs performance especially the freshmen, who didn’t allow first meet jitters to affect their showings.

“This team is gutsy,” Goodman James said. “It was impressive. Our freshmen are going to be impact people.”

Arkansas had a great start to the meet when the Lady’Backs won the 200-medley relay. Junior Mariann Fulop, freshman Jesika Heidloff, Jackson and junior Kristen Thibodeaux gave the team an early charge.

With eight Lady’Backs making their first appearance in Cardinal and White, the freshmen lit up the scoreboard against Nebraska. Heidloff took command in the breaststroke events winning the 100 and 200 breast. Freshman Elizabeth Engs followed with a third-place finish in both the 100 and 200 breast.

Returning to the pool after missing the 2004-05 season with an injury, Thidodeaux finished second in the 100 and 200 fly with freshman Emily Fletcher earning a third-place finish in the 200 fly.

Redshirt freshman Madison Palmer led the diving crew with a second-place finish on the one-meter springboard. Sophomore Hilarie Wilson finished fourth.

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