Hopkin Takes Second in 50 Free, Earns fastest Split Time in Women's NCAA History
AUBURN, Ala. – The Arkansas swimming and diving team finished up day two of the SEC championships with five season bests, a school record, three personal bests, two NCAA ‘A’ cut qualifying times and three NCAA ‘B’ cut qualifying times.
TOP RAZORBACKS
Anna Hopkin took second in the 50 free prelims with a time of 21.54. She then went on to swim a 21.44 in the A finals earning a second-place finish, an NCAA ‘A’ cut qualifying time and the first medal for the Hogs in the 2020 SEC championships.
The Razorbacks opened the finals earning a fourth-place finish in the 200 free relay. Kobie Melton, Hopkin, Molly Moore and Andrea Sansores combined for a time of 1:27.93 in the event, posting the fastest time in school history and an NCAA ‘A’ cut time. Hopkin dove into the pool, throwing down a massive 20.27, swimming the fastest split in women’s NCAA history.
Lexi Ljunggrenn set the tone early in the 500 free swimming a season best, personal best and a NCAA ‘B’ cut time of 4:45.27. This time advanced the sophomore to the C final where she shaved off over half a second from her prelim time, touching the wall at 4:44.10 to finish fourth. Peyton Palsha was next in line grabbing fourth in her heat in prelims with an NCAA ‘B’ cut qualifying time of 4:40.01. She took the momentum of prelims and brought it to the A finals clocking in a time of 4:39.41 to earn her a fourth-place finish.
Moore swam a personal best, season best and an NCAA ‘B’ cut qualifying time in the 50 free in prelims with a time of 22.59. Alyssa Lemon and Emma Hultquist both clocked in a season best in the 500 free, with Lemon touching the wall at 4:59.32 and Hultquist finishing at 4:55.27.
Arkansas sits in ninth with 200 points heading into day three.
QUOTING HEAD COACH NEIL HARPER
“What a great day for the Hogs. We had a bunch of season bests and lifetime best performances this morning. Tonight the relay broke the school record and individually Anna, Peyton and Lexi all excelled. Anna made NCAA history tonight and is on track towards her goals for NCAAs and her Olympic Trials in April. The team is confident and looking forward to more personal best opportunities tomorrow.”
UP NEXT
The Razorbacks will be back in the pool tomorrow morning with prelims for the 400 IM, 100 fly and 200 free beginning at 9:30 and the women’s 3-meter at 12:35 p.m. The Hogs will wrap up the day with finals in the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free and women’s 3-meter.
– For more information on Arkansas women’s Swimming and Diving follow @RazorbackSD on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
