Lady'Backs Say Goodbye to Seniors Fall to Kansas

FAYETTEVILLE-The University of Arkansas swimming and diving team bid farewell to five seniors who competed for the final time in the Arkansas Natatorium, Jan. 29, as the Lady Razorbacks fell 163-133 to the Kansas Jayhawks. Despite the loss, Arkansas won nine events with three lifetime best performances.

Head coach Anne Goodman James said she was in awe of the way her team performed in its final home meet of the year.

“I’m just amazed at how well we swam,” Goodman James said. “I think that they wanted to give the seniors a great send off and dug deep and swam with a lot of heart.”

Senior Whitney Lynn and freshman Emily Gregory led the Lady’Backs as they both won two individual events. Lynn won the 500 and 1,000 freestyle. Lynn’s performance in the 1,000 free was not only a season best time but also a lifetime best in the event.

Goodman James said Lynn will be missed as she has been a consistent force in the distance freestyle events for the Arkansas program.

“She just took control of the 1,000 free and really dominated in the second half of the 500 free,” Goodman James said. “This was just a typical display of what she has been doing for us for every meet for the last four years.”

Gregory took first place in the 100 and 200 butterfly. She recorded season best times in both events.

Goodman James said she was excited about the progress that her freshman showed leading up to the conference meet.

“She had amazingly fast swims for this time of the year,” Goodman James said. “She is going to be a difference maker at the SEC meet.”

Senior Zsuzsa Csobanki finished first in the 50 free and second in the 100 free, while sophomore Mariann Fulop won the 200 IM.

In the diving events, the Lady’Backs swept the one-meter event as Arkansas finished in first, second and third place. Freshman Jamie Hylop took top honors in the one meter for the first time the season, while freshmen Hilarie Wilson and Brieanne Kushner took second and third place, respectively. On the three-meter springboard, Kushner won first place.

For more information on Arkansas swimming and diving, log on to www.ladybacks.com.