Women’s Swimming and Diving: No. 6 Texas sweeps No. 18 Virginia, No. 25 Penn State and West Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – No. 6 Texas showcased its depth and won three events to preserve its day-one leads and close out victories Saturday over No. 18 Virginia, No. 25 Penn State and West Virginia in the teams’ two-day quad meet at UVA’s Aquatic and Fitness Center. 

 Texas (7-1) defeated host Virginia by a 196-157 count and knocked off Penn State by a 242-111 margin.  The Longhorns defeated Big 12 foe West Virginia by a 297-41 count. 

 Texas collected bundles of points from all over its roster in the meet’s second session.  UT picked up its top finish in the 1,000-yard freestyle from junior Kaitlin Pawlowicz, who returned to her home state and took second place in 9 minutes, 55.05 seconds.  Junior Gretchen Jaques, the reigning Big 12 Women’s Swimmer of the Week, took second in the 50 freestyle at 23.26.  Freshman Tasija Karosas added a third-place showing in the 100 backstroke in 54.81. 

 Texas added runner-up finishes from freshmen Madisyn Cox and Brynne Wong in the 200 breaststroke and 100 butterfly, respectively.  Cox clocked 2:14.87 for second place in the 200 breast, while Wong placed second in the 100 fly at 54.91.

 Senior Samantha Tucker scored the first victory of the day for the Longhorns, and she did so in her signature event, the 200 freestyle.  The Austin native took the win in 1:47.72.  Cox and Pawlowicz teamed up for a one-two Texas finish in the 400 individual medley.  The freshman Cox delivered the victory in 4:15.14 while Pawlowicz took second in 4:16.22. 

 Texas capped the meet with a come-from-behind win in the 400 freestyle relay.  The Longhorns trailed Penn State at the 200-yard mark before Wong narrowed the gap at 300 yards.  Tucker anchored in 49.38 to give UT the win in 3:21.33.  Penn State took second in 3:21.65. 

 The Longhorns host the UT Diving Invitational from Nov. 21-23 at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.  The swimmers return to competition on Thursday, Dec. 5 when UT hosts the annual three-day Texas Invitational.