Feb. 23, 2011
The Texas A&M women's swimming and diving team began its defense of its 2010 conference title with a record-setting win in the 200-yard medley relay on the first day of the 2011 Big 12 Championships on Wednesday at the Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin.
After day one, the No. 10 Aggies are tied with the host Texas Longhorns atop the team standings with 74 points and are trailed by Kansas (62), Missouri (62), Nebraska (56) and Iowa State (52).
The Aggies ruled the pool in the 200 medley relay with the foursome of sophomore Tess Simpson, freshman Breeja Larson, freshman Paige Miller and senior Maria Sommer breaking the school, Big 12 meet and overall Big 12 records with a time of 1:36.62. The Aggies beat runner-up Texas by .36 of a second and punched the foursome's ticket to the NCAA Championships with an "A" qualifying cut.
"It was a great way to start out the meet, that's for sure," Aggie head coach Steve Bultman said. "We had to replace two from last year's relay, so this is a young group but they did a great job tonight."
Sommer, the lone senior on the relay, closed the door on the Longhorns with a sizzling 21.72 anchor leg.
"This is huge - I never would have dreamed that we would be able to do this," Sommer said. "It's very exciting, and I think it was a great way to get this meet started."
The Aggies were also sharp in a runner-up finish to the Longhorns in the 800-yard free relay. The foursome of freshman Lili Ibañez, sophomore Maureen McLaine, senior Hannah Kinder and freshman Sarah Henry posted a "B" time of 7:04.26. Bultman said the Aggies' time was likely good enough to get to the NCAA Championships, and it was the sixth fastest in school history.
Day 1 Results 200-yard medley relay Tess Simpson, Breeja Larson, Paige Miller, Maria Sommer 1st, 1:36.62 (new A&M, Big 12 meet record, Big 12 record, NCAA "A" cut)
800-yard free relay Lili Ibañez, Maureen McLaine, Hannah Kinder, Sarah Henry 2nd, 7:04.26 (NCAA "B" cut, season best)