Lady'Backs swim with Olympians at Toyota Grand Prix

COLUMBUS, Ohio. – Four members of the University of Arkansas swimming and diving team recently competed in the Toyota Grand Prix hosted by Ohio State at its McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion in Columbus, Ohio. Junior Stephanie Carr and freshmen Ashley Largo, Jamie Marks and Erica Totten swam against Olympic medalists and world record holders in the same pool both Carr and Largo competed for the NCAA Championships. World record-holders Michael Phelps, Brendan Hansen and Aaron Peirsol, Olympians Kaitlin Sandeno and Katie Hoff and rising American distance star Kate Ziegler were some of those in attendance. Carr started things off with a bang on the first day of competition qualifying for the finals in the 200-meter freestyle with a 21st-place finish. She finished 20th with a 2:06.60 in the finals of the event. Totten turned in a time of 2:08.62 and Largo had a time of 2:10.83. Marks and Totten both swam the 200 individual medley touching in one right after the other with a 2:26.76 from Marks and a 2:27.04 from Totten. Carr had her best finish of the meet in the 800 free, especially since the top two spots went to Hoff and Zeigler, respectively. Carr placed 5th with a time of 8:56.35. Marks took 16th with a 9:10.33 and Largo followed at 18th with a 9:11.02. On day two, Marks qualified for the finals of the 400 IM and bettered her time by almost two seconds in the finals touching in 14th with a 5:01.79. Totten swam a 5:09.71 and Largo touched in with a 5:13.16. In the 400 free, Carr and Totten moved on to the finals with a 10th-place finish in 4:22.62 by Carr and a 12th-place 4:23.68 by Totten. Totten’s time was a career-best. Carr improved her time by almost four seconds in the finals with a 4:18.82 and 10th place. Totten finished 16th. Largo had a 4:29.41 and Marks had a 4:34.01. In the final day of competition, the Lady’Backs only swam the prelims in the morning before boarding a flight to return to campus later that day. Carr was the only swimmer in the 100 free and turned in a time of 1:00.79. Marks had a career-best time in the 200 butterfly to swim the finals placing 16th with a 2:20.51. Totten swam a 2:23.74 and Largo touched in with a 2:29.44. For more information about Arkansas swimming and diving, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.