The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Arizona
Freshmen lead No. 4 Women's Swimming & Diving past No. 9 Arizona
01.28.2012 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Jan. 28, 2012
TUCSON, Ariz. - The No. 4 Texas Women's Swimming and Diving team captured a 128-115 victory over No. 9 Arizona on Saturday in Tucson to spoil the Wildcats' senior day.
"I thought we were more consistent across the board in our racing then we had at Auburn," said head coach Kim Brackin. "That is something we have been working, getting after each race and not having a slump in any of our races."
Two freshmen earned their first collegiate victories on the day. Freshman Kelsey LeNeave picked up her first collegiate wins in the 1000 and 500 freestyle events. She clocked a 10:03.31 for first place in the 1000 and later won the 500 for the first time with a 4:50.58. She was followed by fellow freshman Kaitlin Pawlowicz in both events.
Another freshman, Gretchen Jaques, led a Texas trio that finished 1-2-3 in the 200-yard IM. Jacques won with a time of 2:02.28 while Leah Gingrich was second and Skylar Smith third.
"We had some freshmen step up a little bit and that was exciting to see with Kelsey LeNeave and Gretchen Jacques each winning races," said Brackin. "They are getting comfortable with what our expectations are of them and what a dual meet brings so they are getting more confident."
Senior Karlee Bispo had another strong day for the Longhorns as she won the 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle events. She stayed unbeaten in the 200 free with a time of 1:47.13 and was the only swimmer to go under 50.00 in the 100 free as she touched the wall at 49.95.
Gingrich and Pawlowicz were the top two finishers in the 200 butterfly. The win was the fourth of the season in the event for Gingrich as she came in at 1:59.19.
Laura Sogar had another strong performance in her best event, the 200 breaststroke. She won by almost two seconds with a time of 2:14.80. She has won the event in five of her seven races this year.
With the win the Longhorns improved to 5-1 in dual meets. They have one final dual meet before the Big 12 Championships as they take on SMU on Saturday, Feb. 4 in Dallas.
