Totten breaks Filipino records at Grand Prix

AUSTIN, Texas – University of Arkansas sophomore swimmer Erica Totten broke three Philippine records during the first two days of the Austin Grand Prix, hosted by the University of Texas.

Totten, competing for her home country, the Republic of the Philippines, in hopes of qualifying for the Philippine World Championship Team, broke her first record in the finals of the 400 free long course meters race on Thursday, touching in seventh in a time of 4:20.90.

In her next event, the 200 individual medley LC meters race, also Thursday, Totten again was spectacular, placing 15th in a time of 2:23.59, breaking her second Philippine national record of the day.

Continuing her record-breaking tear on Friday, Totten posted a third Philippine record in two days in the finals of the 400 IM LC meters event where she came in 13th in a time of 5:01.10, more than six seconds faster than the previous record time.

In the finals of the 200 free LC meters event, Totten place 18th in a time of 2:04.83.

Also at the meet this weekend is Lynette Ng, competing Singapore and also looking to earn a spot on the Singapore World Championship Team.

On Thursday, Ng swam in the finals of the 50 free LC meters race where she finished in 13th place with a time of 26.97.

Strong again on Friday night competing in the finals of the 100 back, Ng placed 15th in a time of 1:05.98.

"Erica and Lynette had a great first day at the meet," Arkansas head coach Jeff Poppell said. "Both girls swam personal best times in their respective events and, in addition, Erica broke Philippine national records in both the 400 free and 200 IM. It was a good day all around."

The Grand Prix wraps up Saturday, March 7 at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center with preliminary heats beginning at 9:30 a.m. and finals following at 5:30 p.m.

The Razorbacks will be back in action March 12-15 when the divers travel to Columbia, Mo., for the NCAA Zone Diving Championships. For complete coverage of Arkansas swimming and diving, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Thursday’s complete results:500 Freestyle – prelims (short course yards) 8. Totten – 4:52.57200 IM ? prelims (short course yards) 14. Totten – 2:05.3150 Freestyle – prelims (short course yards) 9. Ng – 23.27400 Freestyle – finals (long course meters) 7. Totten – 4:20:90200 IM – finals (long course meters) 15. Totten – 2:23.5950 Freestyle – finals (long course meters) 13. Ng – 26.97Friday’s results:400 IM – prelims (short course yards) 11. Totten – 4:23.15100 Back – prelims (short course yards) 9. Ng – 56.11200 Free – prelims (short course yards) 23. Totten – 1:51.69400 IM – finals (long course meters) 13. Totten – 5:01.10100 Back ? finals (long course meters) 15. Ng – 1:05.98200 Freestyle – finals (long course meters) 2:04.83