News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M swimming & diving program dominated from start to finish as both the men and women took down TCU and BYU in a two-day tri meet at the Rec Center Natatorium.
The meet began Friday with the women notching a 157.5-47.5 win over TCU and a 137-68 win over BYU, while the men topped TCU, 123.5-81.5, and BYU, 111-94. Competition resumed Saturday morning with the women earning a 112-53 victory over TCU and a 103.5-61.5 decision over BYU. The men’s team capped off the weekend topping TCU, 101-66, and BYU, 96-71.
Texas A&M started the weekend off taking four of the top five spots in the 500 free with Hayden Miller touching the wall first in 4:49.58 and Chloe Stepanek right behind her with a time of 4:52.51.
Aviv Barzelay and Lizzie Watson added another one-two finish for the Aggies in the 200 back, going 2:00.18 and 2:01.22, respectively. Desirae Mangaoang led three Aggies in the top-four in the 200 breast with a time of 2:15.99 and Olivia Theall later tied for first in the 50 free with a 23.43. Giulia Goerigk and Theall added a one-two finish in the 200 IM to close out the individual events, clocking in at 2:02.35 and 2:02.76, respectively.
Else Praasterink posted the top score in both diving events with a 313.30 on the 3-meter and 245.05 on the platform to earn her spot at NCAA Zones in both events. Leonardo Garcia added at first-place finish on the 3-meter (392.10) with Rhett Hensley right behind him in second (357.65) before Hensley claimed first on the platform with a near career-best score of 378.60 to qualify for NCAA Zones in both events.
Trey Dickey led four Aggies in the top-six of the 500 free as he placed third with a time of 4:33.47. The Murphy, Texas native posted another third-place finish on day two with a time of 9:23.50 in the 1000 free. Thomas Shomper added a first-place finish in the 200 back, going 1:46.64, and later added a third-place time of 48.94 in the 100 fly.
The Aggies swept the top three spots in the 50 free with Connor Foote leading the pack and touching the wall first with a 20.26.
The men’s 200 medley relay team of Foote, Baylor Nelson, Travis Gulledge and Chase Swearingen began competition on day two placing second with a time of 1:28.91. Nelson added top-three times in the 100 IM (49.56) and 100 back (48.58), and Gulledge placed second in the 100 breast with a time of 54.93. Collin Fuchs (44.52) and Ben Scholl (44.58) battled neck-and-neck in the 100 free, placing first and second, respectively.
Theall (1:59.78), Katie Walker (2:02.57) and Goerigk (2:03.39) swept the top three spots in the 200 fly, and Stepanek (55.35) and Watson (55.97) filled the top two spots in the 100 back. Bobbi Kennett touched the wall second in the 100 breast at 1:03.30, as Ella McQuinn was not far behind with a time of 1:03.72. McQuinn also placed second in the 100 free with a 51.31.
On the 1-meter, Hensley (378.75), Garcia (356.25) and Jaxon Bowshire (336.45) led the Aggies to a sweep of the top-three spots. On the women’s side, Mayson Richards placed second with a score of 299.80 and Praasterink ended in third place with a 273.90.
The meet concluded with both men’s and women’s 400 free relay teams notching the top position. The women’s team of Stepanek, Theall, Kaitlyn Owens and Jordan Buechler swam a time of 3:25.59 and the men’s team of Foote, Fuchs, Scholl and Nelson touched the wall at 2:56.78.
UP NEXT
The Aggies return home next week on Oct. 24 for a dual meet against Houston. Action is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
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