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UA qualifies 28 swimmers for NCAA championships

Texas has not been dominated this much since the Alamo fell in 1836.

The Wildcats left the University of Texas Invitational this weekend as a dominant power in collegiate swimming, qualifying a total of 28 swimmers to the NCAA national championships in March and breaking four U.S. Open records (fastest time on U.S. soil).

"Everyone did awesome, everyone was pretty satisfied with their cuts," freshman Amanda Beard said. "We are going to have a real strong team at NCAAs."

Beard was one of the Wildcat's strongest performers as she set a U.S. Open record in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:06.67.

"I was just really excited, I haven't done these kinds of times in a while," Beard said. "It just gives me a good outlook for the season."

Beard was not the only freshman to dominate for UA. Beth Botsford set a U.S. Open record in the 200-yard backstroke, swimming a record time of 2:07.36.

The women's swimming team qualified a total of 14 swimmers for the national championships.

"We are going to be a pretty awesome force at NCAA's," senior Denali Knapp said. "I was really happy with how we did. I feel this is only a glimpse of what we can do at NCAA."

Leading the way for the men's squad was freshman Roland Schoeman, who became the fastest collegian ever at the 50-yard freestyle with a U.S. Open record time of 19.07.

"I was absolutely ecstatic about it," Schoeman said. "I wasn't thinking I would swim that fast."

In addition, seniors Matt Allen, Rob Henikman, Coley Stickels and Schoeman swam a 3:33.61 in the 400-yard medley relay, conquering the other U.S. Open record.

"I was ecstatic - it was unbelievable that we came together and did something like that," Allen said. "I feel that our team as whole has really come together. It just says so much about our team that not only can one guy break a record but a whole bunch of guys can."

The men's team also qualified 14 swimmers and got a strong performance from seven-time NCAA champion Ryk Neethling.

"I was amazed - 14 guys qualified for NCAA's, it was just amazing to see people perform the way the coaches know we can." Neethling said. "The NCAA's are the only focus for both teams now."

Neethling won both the 200-yard freestyle and the 1,650-yard freestyle, automatically qualifying himself for the national championships.

"I can't believe how fast I swam. My 200 time ranks fourth in the world and my 1,650 time ranks third in the world, and I was unshaved and unrested," Neethling said.

The Wildcats do not swim again until Jan. 8, when they host No. 8 Michigan.