The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Auburn
No. 3 Women's Swimming and Diving tops No. 5 Auburn, 129-109
01.08.2009 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Jan. 8, 2009
Complete ResultsAUBURN, Ala. -- No. 3 Texas chalked up wins in 11 of 14 events en route to a decisive 129-109 victory at No. 5 Auburn Thursday afternoon at Auburn's James E. Martin Aquatic Center. Senior diver Kathryn Kelly, junior swimmer Susana Escobar and freshman swimmers Kathleen Hersey and Karlee Bispo tallied two wins apiece, as Texas swept all three diving events and won eight of nine individual swimming events. The win marked Texas' first victory over Auburn in the three dual meets between the two schools and the Horns' second victory of the season over a top-five opponent.
Auburn captured the meet's first event, the 400-yard medley relay, but Escobar answered by winning the 1000 freestyle, where she was victorious in 9:47.55. Freshman Leah Gingrich took second in 9:51.48. Kelly, who had won the one-meter diving competition contested on Wednesday, completed a sweep of the springboards by winning the three-meter event with 315.75 points. Freshman Lauren Caldwell took second with 284.70 points, and freshman Shelby Cullinan took fifth with 274.72 points.
Bispo, who became UT's new record holder in the 200 freestyle during the recent Texas Invitational, captured the 200 freestyle in 1:46.23. Sophomore transfer Ashleigh McCleery, a native Australian completing in her first dual meet, took third in 1:48.88. Senior Hee-Jin Chang followed with a win in the 50 freestyle in 23.01.
Hersey, who broke multiple school records at the Texas Invitational, claimed the 400 IM in 4:08.77. Gingrich placed fourth in 4:24.64. Hersey was victorious in the next event, the 200 butterfly, in which she competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (at 200 meters). She took first in 1:57.23, while senior Jacqueline Martin-Lacey placed third in 2:03.60. Bispo added her second win in the 100 freestyle in 49.64, and freshman Katie Riefenstahl claimed the 200 backstroke in 1:58.17.
Escobar added her second win in the 500 freestyle, where she was victorious in 4:46.45. McCleery took third in 4:52.14, and Gingrich placed fourth in 4:52.21. Senior diver Jessica Livingston claimed the platform event with 295.20 points, and Cullinan took third with 260.10 points.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 10 at No. 1 Georgia.
