Schilling breaks record, guides Hogs to win

LAWRENCE, Kan.- University of Arkansas swim and dive team picked up its first win of the new year with a score of 170-130 Thursday morning over regional rival Kansas, bringing the Razorbacks dual record to 7-2, 2-1 SEC, at the Robinson Center in Lawrence, Kan.

Jillienne Schilling picked up her first pool record as a Razorback in the 400 IM. Schilling’s time of 4:22.73 topped the previous record for the Robinson Center pool set back in 2003. Her time was also an in-season best time for the junior.

Chelsea Franklin started things off by winning the 1650 free with a time of 16:46.45. Alison Templin and Ashley Largo followed in third and fourth, respectively. Franklin came back in the 500 free to pace as well and stop the clock at 4:55.16. Nicole Menzel was just behind the sophomore with 4:58.46 and Templin finished third w and stopped the clock at 5:00.25. In the 200 free, Menzel paced the event in 1:52.51 while Sigrun Sverrisdottir was also in scoring position with third place.

Katie Whitbeck also led in her first event of the morning when she stopped the clock at 2:03.71 in the 200 butterfly. Erica Totten and Liz Braun followed in third and fourth place, respectively.

"We started this meet out a little slower than I would have liked," head coach Jeff Poppell said. "As the meet went on, we just got better and better. I thought our girls did a fantastic job standing up and competing head to head with Kansas."

In the one-meter dive, Kesha Naylor led with a career-best mark of 315.52. Alex Roman picked up a career-best mark as well with 287.48, good for second on the 1m board. Liana Bugslag finished third in the event with a score of 283.73.

"We had a great winter training session," diving coach Dale Schultz said. "Kesha (Naylor), Alex (Roman) and Liana (Bugslag) did a great job and this was a good way to get us ready for the conference meet."

Carly Mercer led the 100 free race with 51.57 while Whitbeck was just behind the freshman in third. Haley Smith, Braun and Julia Kucherich picked up the second, third and fourth spots, respectively in the 200 backstroke, while Aubrey Hertzler paced her heat with a time of 2:08.00 to beat out three Jayhawks.

The Razorbacks go on a two-week home stretch and host Houston on Jan. 21 at the Arkansas Natatorium and welcome back-to-back Division II national champion Drury on Jan. 29.