@RazorbackSD Sweeps Bears on Senior Day

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas women’s swimming and diving sent out its seniors with a bang as the Razorbacks topped the Missouri State Bears, 191-96, at the Arkansas Natatorium on Friday evening.

“It was a pretty special day,” said head coach Sean Schimmel. “For what we go through year in and year out at such a high level academically, and their work ethic – to get to this day for all five of our seniors is a huge deal. I have so much respect for them and what they’ve done for this program.”

The Razorback diving squad had a career day in the home finale. Freshman diver Nicole Gillis took first in the three-meter boards, tying a personal best with 320.70 points. Junior Hannah Bortnick snagged second in the 3-meter spring boards, tallying 320.03, a new career-best. Senior Meghan Clark also collected a career-best in the three-meter boards with a score of 316.05. Junior Shelby Bartlett took first in the 1-meter boards with a new personal best score of 292.13. Both Bortnick and Clark also racked-up career best dives, scoring 287.93 and 276.83, respectively.

“It was amazing to get 316,” said Clark. “It crushed my last record – and to get a zone qualifying score on the one meter, it was a great feeling.”

Arkansas grabbed first place in all 16 events of the day. Senior Nikki Daniels racked-up two wins on the day in the 100 (1:03.77) and 200 (2:19.24) breaststroke, while seniors Liz Braun (200 back, 2:03.04) and Susanna White (50 free, 23.60) also grabbed event wins on the day.

“I was so full of emotion,” said White of her senior day. “I don’t really have words right now. I’m so grateful that I was with the team that I love today and have such great coaches that support me – I’m a little overwhelmed.”

Junior Anna Mayfield grabbed two first places in the 100 backstroke (55.38) and 500 free (4:53.18), while junior Maddie Monroe tallied two event wins in the 200 free (1:50.11) and 100 free (51.19).

Swimming the remaining first places was sophomore Aiden Lister (1,000 free, 10:13.89) and freshmen Jessie Garrison (200 butterfly, 2:04.91), Olivia Weekley (100 butterfly, 57.15) and Chelsea Tatlow (400 IM, 4:20.38).

Arkansas’ two relay teams also clocked first-place finishes. The 200-medley relay team of Mayfield, Daniels, White and Monroe touched the wall first (1:43.11). The 400 freestyle relay squad notched a victory with Braun, Daniels, senior Julia Banach and White (3:38.59).

Contributing to the Razorbacks scoring efforts with second-place finishes was junior Rachel Stoehr (1,000 free, 10:17.25; 500 free, 4:59.31), junior Nina Drolc (200 free, 1:50.81; 50 free, 23.72), Braun (100 back, 57.17), Banach (100 breast, 1:05.01; 200 breast, 2:19.28), freshman Taylor Weiss (100 butterfly, 58.43) and freshman Chloe Hannam (400 IM, 4:22.08).

The Razorbacks will next return to action in Lawrence, Kansas when they take on the Kansas Jayhawks in the Robinson Natatorium on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m.

For more information on Arkansas swimming and diving, follow @RazorbackSD.