Swimming breaks three records on first day of SEC Championship

TUSCALOOSA, ALA. – The University of Arkansas swimming and diving team broke three school records, in just two events on the first day of the Southeastern Conference Championship at the Alabama Aquatic Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Wednesday.

The Lady Razorbacks set records in the 200 medley relay, the 800 freestyle relay and the 200 free.

“We’re very excited about this start,” said head coach Jeff Poppell. “I can’t be any prouder. The ladies did an absolutely fantastic job and exceeded our expectations. We’re looking forward to tomorrow.”

In the 200 medley relay, the squad of sophomore Lynette Ng, junior Summer Jackson, senior Emily Gregory and freshman Katie Kastes touched in with a provisional qualifying time of 1:41.73.

Arkansas’ speed continued with another ‘B’-cut time the 800 free relay. Kastes led off the relay with a school-record split time of 1:48.57. Freshmen Megan Haskins and Erica Totten and junior Stephanie Carr finished the race, touching in over seven seconds faster than the previous record with a fifth-place time of 7:19.14.

Lady’Back diving also competed today on the one-meter springboard. Junior Madison Palmer placed ninth with a score of 265.15. Juniors Kellyn Williams (220.05) and Hilarie Wilson (219.95) finished 22nd and 23rd, respectively.

No. 3 Florida leads all schools after day one with 89 points. No. 7 Tennessee and No. 17 LSU are tied for second with 79 points, followed by Kentucky (78), No. 1 Georgia (77), No. 5 Auburn (74), South Carolina (65) and Alabama (63). Arkansas is close behind in ninth place with 59 points, followed by Vanderbilt with 28.

The SEC Championship continues tomorrow with the 500 free, 200 individual medley, 50 free, three-meter diving, and the 200 free relay.

For more information about Arkansas swimming and diving, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.