The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Foster wins 200m fly title at Phillips 66 National Championships
06.27.2023 | Men's Swimming and Diving
Longhorns collected three medals on the first day of the national meet.
INDIANAPOLIS – Carson Foster captured gold in the 200-meter butterfly to highlight day one for Texas Swimming at the United States Phillips 66 National Championship at the Indiana University Natatorium on Tuesday night.
Foster's victory qualifies him for the United States roster at the 2023 World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Incoming Longhorn Jillian Cox also qualified with a silver-medal performance in the women's 800-meter freestyle, while Dakota Luther added a third medal for Texas after capturing bronze in the women's 200-meter butterfly.
In the men's 200m fly, Foster moved ahead early and maintained the lead throughout the race, battling Trenton Julian for the first three-quarters of the race before being challenged by runner-up Thomas Heilman in the final 25 meters, winning with a time of 1:54.32 to Heilman's 1:54.54.
Luther kicked the evening session off for the Longhorns winning bronze in the 200-meter butterfly with a time of 2:07.86. She was joined in the championship final by Kelly Pash (2:08.13) and Emma Sticklen (2:08.28), who placed fourth and sixth respectively.
The 100-meter freestyle was highlighted by Texas Ex Drew Kibler's eighth-place finish, touching the wall in 48.42.
On the women's side, incoming Longhorn Erin Gemmell placed third in the 100 free consolation final in 54.39, while Grace Cooper tied for first in the C Final with a time of 54.85.
Cox chipped 10 seconds off of her lifetime best in the 800m free, capturing silver in 8:20.28 and earning a spot on the senior team.
The top-six of the men's 1500-meter free featured a pair of Longhorns, with David Johnston (15:03.85) taking fourth and Alec Enyeart (15:12.71) placing sixth.
Leah Smith, who trains in Austin with women's head coach Carol Capitani, placed fourth in the 800 free in 8:21.88.
The Phillips 66 National Championships resume on Wednesday and will feature the 200 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 backstroke and 50 butterfly.
Players Mentioned
