Men, women take 2nd at Texas Invitational

UA junior swimmer Simon Burnett broke a 17-year-old NCAA record in the 100-yard freestyle while the men's and women's swimming and dive teams each placed second over the weekend at the Texas Invitational in Austin, Texas.

The 100y freestyle record was the oldest standing NCAA swimming record until Burnett topped it.

"Everyone was numb at that point," UA head coach Frank Busch said, "and the whole place gave him a standing ovation."

In an ironic twist, however, Burnett finished the event in ninth place because the record-setting time was achieved in the consolation race.

Burnett was one of several UA swimmers to earn NCAA qualifying and consideration times in the meet.

The men finished with 702 points, accumulating 10 NCAA automatic qualifying times and 23 consideration times, while the women finished with 670 points, earning 22 NCAA automatic qualifying times and 17 consideration times.

"We got a lot of qualifying times. The whole invitational was pretty amazing. The quality exceeded my expectations," Head Coach Frank Busch said, adding he is relieved and very proud of all of the swimmers.

Burnett and junior Lyndon Ferns both obtained qualifying times, while sophomore Adam Ritter and freshman Jonas Perrson made consideration times. Junior Dave Rollins and senior Nate Stevens tied for first place in the 200y breaststroke with a time of 1:57.56.

In the same event freshman Ivan Barnes finished fourth. Junior Tyler DeBerry placed sixth in the 200y butterfly, posting another consideration time.

The Wildcats also saw success in the relay races, with the 400y free relay team of Burnett, Ritter and freshmen Alan Subriats and Bart Steninger finishing first with a time of 2:56.71.

The women's team shined as well with three automatic qualifying times in the 100y free from freshman Lacey Nymeyer, freshmen Courtney Cashion and junior Jenna Gresdal.

In the 200y backstroke, senior Jessica Hayes finished third, obtaining a qualifying time of 1:55.93. Junior Erin Seiper took first in the 200y breaststroke with a time of 2:19.29. Emily Mason and Whitney Myers took first and second in the 200y fly. The 400y free relay team 'A' of Marshi Smith, Gresdal, Cashion and Ryan Hackett took first place with a time of 3:17.55. The 'B' relay team for the same event of Hayes, Nymeyer, Myers and Mason took second with a time of 3:18.25.

"Now the team is thinking about the next step, I can't see us not doing well for the rest of the season. The important thing is how we train over the next two months," Busch said. "That will be critical to set the pace for the rest of the year."

The Wildcats will be in the pool again Jan. 7 with the men hosting the University of British Columbia, and the women face off against Oregon State at 2 p.m. at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center.