The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Big 12 Swimming Championships
No. 8 Women’s Swimming sweeps six events on third day of Big 12 Championship
02.26.2021 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Bray set a Big 12 Championship meet record in the 100 fly, and the Longhorns added another meet record in the 200 free relay.
AUSTIN, Texas — The No. 8 University of Texas Women's Swimming team swept six events during Friday's third day of the Big 12 Championship at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. Texas enters Saturday's final day of action with 585 points and is followed in the team standings by Kansas (426), Iowa State (311), West Virginia (286) and TCU (284).
Freshman Olivia Bray opened Friday's action by winning the title in the 100-yard butterfly in a Big 12 Championship meet record time of 51.05, eclipsing the previous mark of 51.92 by Lily Moldenhauer (Texas) in 2014. Senior Evie Pfeifer earned her fourth consecutive Big 12 title in the 400-yard individual medley in a time of 4:04.61, touching the wall just in front of sophomore Kelly Pash (4:04.93).
Sophomore Kyla Leibel claimed the title in the 200-yard freestyle (1:46.52), and freshman Anna Elendt earned the win in the 100-yard breaststroke (58.45). Junior Julia Cook posted a victory in the 100-yard backstroke (51.24).
The quartet of Bridget Semenuk, Kelly Pash, Grace Cooper and Julia Cook wrapped Friday's action with a win in the 200-yard free relay in a Big 12 Championship meet record time of 1:27.96.
Meet Highlights
- The Longhorns went 1-2 in the 100-yard butterfly to open Friday's finals. Freshman Olivia Bray won the title in a Big 12 Championship meet record time of 51.05, eclipsing the previous mark of 51.92 by Lily Moldenhauer (Texas) in 2014. Freshman Emma Sticklen placed second (51.99), senior Emily Reese took fourth (54.14) and freshman Grace Cooper finished sixth (54.43).
- Senior Evie Pfeifer earned the win in the 400-yard individual medley in a personal-best time of 4:04.61. She posted her fourth-consecutive victory in the event at the Big 12 Championship meet. Sophomore Kelly Pash took second in a personal-best time of 4:04.93. Pfeifer recorded the fifth-fastest time in the nation this year, while Pash posted the eighth-fastest time in the country this season.
- The Longhorns went 1-2-3 in the 200-yard freestyle. Sophomore Kyla Leibel claimed the title in a time of 1:46.52 and was followed by sophomore Miranda Heckman in second (1:47.21) and senior Ella Tierney in third (1:47.86). Sophomore Bridget Semenuk finished sixth in a time of 1:49.26.
- Freshman Anna Elendt earned the victory in the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 58.45. Junior Holly Jansen won the consolation 'B' final in a time of 1:02.07.
- Junior Julia Cook claimed the title in the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 51.24. Freshman Sydney Silver won the consolation 'B' final in a time of 54.41.
- The quartet of Bridget Semenuk, Kelly Pash, Grace Cooper and Julia Cook closed the night with a win in the 200-yard free relay in a Big 12 Championship meet record time of 1:27.96. This broke the previous mark of 1:28.04 set by Rebecca Millard, Claire Adams, Remedy Rule and Anelise Diener (Texas) in 2017. The performance marked the seventh-fastest time in the nation this year.
The Longhorns conclude competition at the Big 12 Conference Swimming Championships on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. Prelims start at 9 a.m. CT, and the finals sessions are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. CT.
All finals sessions will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Due to health and safety protocols, the event is closed to the public.
Players Mentioned
