Strathman Second to Qualify for Olympic Trials
GREENSBORO, N.C.- The Arkansas swimming and diving team had another successful day in the pool, as five Razorbacks qualified for finals events and senior Madison Strathman qualified for the Olympic Trials.
In Day Three of the USA Swimming Winter Nationals, nine swimmers competed in five events. Peyton Palsha was the lone Razorback to swim in the 400 meter IM, placing 17th in the preliminaries (4:46.41) and finishing eighth in the B Finals (4:56.90). The sophomore also swam the 200 meter freestyle, finishing 44th in the preliminaries with a time of 2:07.29.
The second event of the day was the 100 meter butterfly, where Marlena Pigliacampi finished 35th(1:02.87) and Kobie Melton finished in 50th place (1:04.34) in the preliminaries. Senior Anna Hopkin earned a 20th place finish in the preliminaries (1:02.04) before placing second in the C Finals with a lifetime best and school record time of 1:01.27.
Arkansas was represented by four swimmers in the 100 meter breaststroke, with two qualifying for the finals. Senior Sydney Angell finished 54th (1:14.16) and freshman Emma Garfield finished 62nd(1:15.12) in the preliminaries. Strathman earned a 10th place finish with a time of 1:10.79 in the preliminaries, before placing third in the B Finals (1:10.67) and qualifying for the Olympic Trials next summer with a lifetime best time. Freshman Vanessa Herrmann finished in 22nd place in the preliminaries (1:12.21), setting a lifetime best in the C Finals with a time of 1.11.64.
The 100 meter backstroke was the final event of the day, with Molly Moore finishing 54th with a time of 1:06.55 in the preliminaries. Melton also swam the event, earning a 16th place finish in the preliminaries (1:03.33) and setting a lifetime best in the C Finals (1:02.88).
The USA Swimming Nationals will conclude tomorrow, with five events on the schedule.
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