By Sharon Robb
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—Start polishing the NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship trophy for two-time defending champion University of Virginia. They are that good.
On Day One, the Cavaliers quickly grabbed the lead with 208.5 points Thursday at the Allen Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center. And the best is yet to come!
Kate Douglass won Virginia’s first event in style smashing the NCAA and American record in the 200-yard individual medley in 1:48.37 ahead of Stanford’s Torri Huske in 1:50.06. Defending champion Alex Walsh of Virginia was third in 1:50.07.
Alabama’s fifth-year senior and No. 23 seed Kensey McMahon was a surprise winner in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:36.62. Favorite Erica Sullivan of Texas was fourth in 4:37.28. Florida’s Emma Weyant of Sarasota was sixth in 4:38.46.
LSU’s Maggie MacNeil won the 50-yard freestyle in an NCAA record 20.79. Virginia’s Gretchen Walsh was second in 20.85.
University of Miami senior diver Mia Vallee finished third on 1-meter with 338.10 points. North Carolina’s Aranza Vazquez Montano won with 358.75.
Virginia finished Day One winning another event in the 200-yard freestyle relay in a meet and pool record 1:24.51 with Kate Douglass leading off followed by Gretchen Walsh, Lexi Cuomo and Maxine Parker.
On Wednesday, Virginia swept the 200-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relays.
ESPN+ is providing live digital coverage for preliminary and finals sessions through Saturday. Tape-delayed coverage of the women’s championships will be on ESPNU at 8:30 p.m. EST on March 29.
MEET SCHEDULE
Friday, prelims 10 a.m. and finals 6 p.m., 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back, 3-meter dive, 400 medley relay.
Saturday, prelims 10 a.m. and finals 6 p.m., 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, Platform dive, 1650 free, 400 free relay.
WEDNESDAY RESULTS
200-yard medley relay: 1. Virginia 1:31.51, 2. NC State 1:32.42, 3. Texas 1:33.22, 17. Florida State 1:36.93, Florida DQ.
800-yard freestyle relay: 1. Virginia 6:49.82, 2. Stanford 6:50.77, 3. Texas 6:55.55, 6. Florida 6:57.72.
THURSDAY RESULTS
TEAM TOTALS: 1. Virginia 208.5, 2. Texas 162, 3. Louisville 117, 4. Stanford 106, 5. Ohio State 93, 7. Florida 76, 20. Miami 16, 26. Florida State 7.
500-yard freestyle: 1. Kensey McMahon, ALA 4:36.62, 2. Abby Carlson, WIS 4:36.96, 3. Olivia Bray, TEX 4:37.02, 6. Emma Weyant, UF 4:38.46, 34. Blair Stoneburg, WIS 4:42.60, 42. Anna Auld, UF 4:44.36, 62. Paige MacEachern, UCLA 4:47.41.
200-yard individual medley: 1. Kate Douglass, VA 1:48.37, 2. Torri Huske, STAN 1:50.06, 3. Alex Walsh. VA 1:50.07, 44. Kathleen Golding, UF 1:58.05.
50-yard freestyle: 1. Maggie MacNeil, LSU 20.79, 2. Gretchen Walsh, VA 20.85, 3. Gabi Albiero, LOUIS 21.30.
1-meter diving: 1. Aranza Vazquez Montano, UNC 358.75, 2. Delaney Schnell, ARIZ 340.05, 3. Mia Vallee, UM 338.10.
200-yard freestyle relay: 1. Virginia 1:24.51, 2. Stanford 1:25.70, 3. Louisville 1:25.73, 7. Florida 1:27.31.
Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
http://www.swim4soflo.com
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