Feb. 24, 2011
Texas A&M freshman Cammile Adams' record-setting win paced a strong Aggie contingent in the 500-yard freestyle that kept A&M in the team lead on Thursday at the Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships
The Aggies took a 34.5 point lead over the host Longhorns after two days of competition. The Aggies led the way with 336 points, and are trailed by Texas (301.5), Missouri (212.5), Nebraska (128), Kansas (122) and Iowa State (89).
Adams, a freshman from Cypress, Texas, broke the Big 12 meet record in the 500 freestyle twice on Thursday, swimming to 4:40.00 in the prelims and then to victory in 4:39.14. Adams led a 1-2-4-5-6-10 finish in the race with fellow freshman Sarah Henry finishing right on her heels at 4:41.05. Rounding out the Aggies were Hannah Kinder (4th, 4:47.57), Maureen McLaine (5th, 4:47.67), Alyssa Conner (6th, 4:48.23) and Liz Nelson (10th, 4:48.10).
"She had a very, very good swim in the morning and then was even faster tonight," Aggie head coach Steve Bultman said. "If she paces it a little better, I think she can go even faster. She's not even close to fully rested and shaved, so she still has a lot in the tank."
The Aggies didn't grab the top spot in the 200 IM, but it didn't stop them from pulling in solid points with five swimmers in the Championship final. Senior Lindsey King grabbed second in a lifetime best 1:57.24 and she was trailed by teammates Erica Dittmer (4th, 1:58.34), Melanie Dodds (5th, 159.50), Rita Medrano (7th, 2:00.78) and Anna Heller (2:00.98).
"In the 500 free and the 200 IM, the girls did a really good job of stepping up and getting into the top eight," Bultman said. "That went a long way toward keeping us on top in the team standings."
The Aggies opened the meet with a runner-up finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay. The foursome of senior Maria Sommer and freshmen Erica Dittmer, Paige Miller and Lili Ibañez touched the wall in 1:29.48, which was a season-best time and a NCAA "B" cut. It made the 2011 group the third-fastest foursome in school history.
A&M also shined in the three-meter springboard with junior Janie Potvin taking third with 340.40 points and junior Lorena Lujan grabbing fifth with a lifetime best score of 326.85. Potvin was in the fifth position or lower after the second round but nailed a 72.0 on her final dive to jump to third.
In perhaps the tightest finish of the day with the top four finishers within .04 of second of each other, the Aggies' Sommer and Ibañez tied for second in the 50 freestyle in an NCAA "B" cut time of 22.52. Earlier in the day, Sommer had posted the top qualifying time with a lifetime best of 22.29. The Aggies also received points from freshmen Breeja Larson (10th, 23.34) and Miller (14th, 23.67).
Day 2 Results 200-yard free relay Maria Sommer, Erica Dittmer, Paige Miller, Lili Ibañez 2nd, 1:29.48 (NCAA "B" cut, No. 3 fastest relay, No. 8 fastest time in school history)
Three-Meter Springboard Janie Potvin, 3rd, 335.10 Lorena Lujan, 5th, 326.85 B - Jo Thibodaux, 245.40 B - Jessica Macaulay, 197.15
500-yard freestyle Cammile Adams, 1st, 4:39.14 (Big 12 meet record, NCAA "B" cut, No. 3 fastest time, No. 2 performer) Sarah Henry, 2nd, 4:41.05 (NCAA "B" cut) Hannah Kinder, 4th, 4:47.57 (NCAA "B" cut) Maureen McLaine, 5th, 4:47.67 (NCAA "B" cut) Alyssa Conner, 6th, 4:48.23 (NCAA "B" cut) Liz Nelson, 10th, 4:48.10 (NCAA "B" cut)
200-yard IM Lindsey King, 2nd, 1:57.24 (NCAA "B" cut) Erica Dittmer, 4th, 1:58.34 (NCAA "B" cut) Melanie Dodds, 5th, 1:59.50 (NCAA "B" cut) Rita Medrano, 7th, 2:00.78 (NCAA "B" cut) Anna Heller, 8th, 2:00.98 (NCAA "B" cut)
50-yard freestyle Maria Sommer, t2nd, 22.52 (NCAA "B" cut) Lili Ibañez, t2nd, 22.52 (NCAA "B" cut) Breeja Larson, 10th, 23.34 Paige Miller, 14th, 23.67 B - Meagan Hairston, 23.31 B - Christine Regone, 23.50 Tess Simpson, 23.59 Kendra Chernoff , 23.80