Women’s swimming breaks UT, Big 12 record

By Steve Lansdale

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas women’s swimming and diving team established a new school and Big 12 record and swept all five events Thursday on the second day of the 2016 Big 12 Championships in Austin.

Juniors Tasija Karosas and Madisyn Cox and sophomores Mimi Schneider and Rebecca Millard won the [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level1)]400-yard medley relay in 3:30.43 to break by .19 seconds the previous UT and conference mark, which had been set in 2011 by Lily Moldenhauer, Laura Sogar, Kelsey Amundsen and Karlee Bispo.

“It was just a group of four girls who had great mindsets,” Millard said. “Going into it, we just knew that we were going to do something special. Last night we were talking about this and we were ready to make it happen. Three-fourths of the relay is not even tapered yet, so it is really exciting to see us take this relay to the NCAA Championships.”

Freshman Joana Evans became the first Longhorn since 1992 to swim the 500-yard freestyle in under 4:40, touching the wall in 4:39.57 to win her first Big 12 title.

“It’s a great thing,” said Evans of clearing the 4:40 mark.  “I am glad I had a good swim and could get momentum going for the rest of the Longhorns. Hopefully we can knock out some really good swims the rest of the week.”

In addition to her leg in the 400 medley relay, Cox won her third Big 12 title in as many years in the 200 individual medley with a meet-record time of 1:54.31, breaking the previous mark (set by Bispo) by .84 seconds. Freshman Nora McCullagh finished second, in 1:58.19.

“I really like Madisyn (Cox) and Nora (McCullagh) getting up there and racing together.” Texas head coach Carol Capitani said. “They train together in the IM, and Nora had her best time by a second. Madisyn is right at her best time and faster than she went last year at the NCAAs. She knows she goes faster in a big show and she had a great night. I think all across the board, the way Millard threw down the 50 and then stood back up and did that 100 anchor (on the 400 medley relay) … that’s when you know the belief is there.”

The Longhorns swept the first five places in the 50-yard freestyle. Millard won the event in 22.20, and was followed by Schneider (22.44) and Brooke Hansen (22.81).

Texas also swept the top three places in the one-meter diving event. Meghan Houston won the event with a score of 321.30, while Meghan O’Brien finished second (314.85) and Sofia Rauzi placed third (294.95).

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