The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Chang claims 50 freestyle school record at Big 12 Championships
02.26.2009 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Feb. 26, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- University of Texas senior Hee-Jin Chang took down a long-standing school record and landed the top seed in this evening's 50-yard freestyle finals Thursday afternoon at the 2009 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships.
Chang clocked 21.87 in the 50 freestyle to topple the previous school record of 21.92 set by Leigh Ann Fetter at the 1990 NCAA Championships. The swim broke the conference record of 21.99 set by Texas-Ex Colleen Lanne at the 2001 Big 12 Championships. Sophomore Brie Powers will join Chang in the finals after winning a swim-off over Nebraska's Jess Andrews in 22.86.
Freshman Leah Gingrich set a new Big 12 meet record in the 500 freestyle in 4:42.16 to land the top seed in this evening's finals. Junior Susana Escobar qualified second in 4:43.04. Freshman Kathleen Hersey scored a new pool record in the 200 IM in 1:57.70, and freshman Karlee Bispo qualified second at 1:58.19.
Texas will send three divers to this evening's one-meter springboard finals. Senior Kathryn Kelly qualified first in 324.15, and senior Jessica Livingston qualified third with 274.60 points. Freshman Shelby Cullinan qualified seventh with 267.00 points.
Thursday's finals get underway at 6 p.m. Central.
2009 Big 12 Championships - Day 2 Texas Prelims Results
500 Freestyle
1 Leah Gingrich - 4:42.16 (Big 12 meet record)
2 Susana Escobar - 4:43.04
9 Ashleigh McCleery - 4:49.47
10 Traci Van Matre - 4:50.20
13 Rebecca Orr - 4:50.73
14 Natalie Sacco - 4:50.80
20 Jacqueline Martin-Lacey - 4:53.77
200 IM
1 Kathleen Hersey - 1:57.70 (pool record)
2 Karlee Bispo - 1:58.19
11 Adrienne Woods - 2:02.17
14 Abbie Mahoney - 2:03.23
23 Carlye Ellis - 2:06.44
33 Kierstin Thornhill - 2:09.94
50 Freestyle
1 Hee-Jin Chang - 21.87 (new school, Big 12 Conference, Big 12 meet records)
8 Brie Powers - 23.12 (won swim-off in 22.86)
10 Becca Tomlin - 23.22
23 Marisa Rodriguez - 23.88
