FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Behind 12 first-place finishes, the Arkansas swimming and diving team defeated Kansas 181.50-106.50 on Saturday’s Senior Day at the Arkansas Natatorium.
The victory improved the Razorbacks’ record to 5-3 on the season and extended their streak over the Jayhawks (4-4) to nine consecutive meets, dating back to the 2007-08 season. With the win, Arkansas has also won 26 consecutive non-conference dual meets.
“I thought it was a great way to finish the season and get prepared for the SEC Championships,” head coach Neil Harper said. “We have been training hard for the entire month of January, preparing for SEC’s. The seniors did a great job of leading on such an emotional day. Having a really good crowd is always nice, especially in the middle of your race to help bring you home. I like where we are at. At the end of another hard week of training, I thought they performed well.”
Arkansas set nine season bests and six lifetime bests on the day. Three seniors broke season bests while two claimed lifetime bests.
Senior Mary-Margaret Soderberg swam to a first-place finish (2:16.34) in the 200 breaststroke, the fifth fastest time by an Arkansas swimmer in the event this season. She also swam to a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle (1:52.94).
Senior Sarah Easterling touched fourth in the 100 breaststroke in a season best time of 1:05.66. Junior Courtney Nall had a lifetime best in the 200 individual medley, with an exhibition time of 2:07.92. Senior Sam Nelson dove a 268.50 on the 3m springboard for a lifetime-best score.
Junior Nicole Gillis dominated on the boards once again. Notching two NCAA Zone scores on the 1m and 3m boards. Gillis also broke her lifetime best on the 3m with a score of 347.93, the second best score in school history. Molly Harvie recorded a zone score on the 1m for the third time this season with a second place finish and season best score of 280.88. For the first time this season, freshman Caroline Welch qualified for zones on the 3m with a lifetime best score of 287.70.
Freshman Ayumi Macias continued to own the 1000 freestyle. With a first-place finish in a time of 10:07.06, Macias now owns all five of the top times in the event by Razorbacks this season.
UP NEXT
Arkansas will take a break from competition before traveling to Knoxville, Tennessee, to participate in the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships on Feb. 14-18.
For more information on Arkansas Swimming and Diving, follow @RazorbackSD on Twitter.