INDIANAPOLIS – The Texas A&M women's swimming and diving team began its quest for an 11th straight top 10 finish at the national meet with a ninth-place effort in the 800-yard freestyle relay on Wednesday at the 2017 NCAA Championships at the IU Natatorium.
The Aggies, who have placed a program-best fourth the last four seasons, got off to a solid start with the foursome of senior Sarah Gibson, sophomore Sydney Pickrem, freshman Karling Hemstreet and sophomore Claire Rasmus touching in a time of 6:58.62. The Stanford Cardinal, powered by 2016 U.S. Olympians Simone Manuel, Lia Neal and Katie Ledecky won in an NCAA and American record time of 6:45.91.
With the 800 free relay being the lone race contested on the first day of the Championships, the Aggies stand in ninth place with 18 points. Stanford leads with 40 points, followed by California (34), Michigan (32), Texas (30), Virginia (28), Kentucky (26), Georgia (24), Louisville (22), Texas A&M and Wisconsin (14) to round out the top 10. Also earning points on day one were Southern California (12), Indiana (10), Arizona (8), Minnesota (6), Missouri (4) and Virginia Tech (2).
Texas A&M NCAA Championship Roster
The Aggies, who have placed a program-best fourth the last four seasons, got off to a solid start with the foursome of senior Sarah Gibson, sophomore Sydney Pickrem, freshman Karling Hemstreet and sophomore Claire Rasmus touching in a time of 6:58.62. The Stanford Cardinal, powered by 2016 U.S. Olympians Simone Manuel, Lia Neal and Katie Ledecky won in an NCAA and American record time of 6:45.91.
With the 800 free relay being the lone race contested on the first day of the Championships, the Aggies stand in ninth place with 18 points. Stanford leads with 40 points, followed by California (34), Michigan (32), Texas (30), Virginia (28), Kentucky (26), Georgia (24), Louisville (22), Texas A&M and Wisconsin (14) to round out the top 10. Also earning points on day one were Southern California (12), Indiana (10), Arizona (8), Minnesota (6), Missouri (4) and Virginia Tech (2).
Texas A&M NCAA Championship Roster
| Name | Events | Cl-Exp | Hometown |
| Lisa Bratton | 200/400 IM, 200 back | Jr.-2L | Richland, Wash. |
| Jorie Caneta | 100/200 breast | Jr.-1L | Bakersfield, Calif. |
| Raena Eldridge | Relay Alternate | Fr.-RS | Rockwall, Texas |
| Bethany Galat | 200/400 IM, 200 breast | Jr.-2L | Mishawaka, Ind. |
| Béryl Gastaldello | 50/100 free, 100 back | Jr.-2L | Miramas, France |
| Sarah Gibson | 100/200 fly | Sr.-3L | San Antonio, Texas |
| Esther Gonzalez | 200/400 IM, 200 breast | Jr.-2L | Torreon, Mexico |
| Monika Gonzalez-Hermosillo | 200/400 IM, 200 breast | So.-TR | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Karling Hemstreet | 200/500 free | Fr.-HS | Cedar Park, Texas |
| Franko Jonker | 100/200 breast | Sr.-3L | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Alaïs Kalonji | Platform dive | So.-1L | Rennes, France |
| Kristin Malone | 100/200 free, 200 IM | Jr.-2L | Milwaukee, Wis. |
| Ashley McGregor | 100/200 breast, 200 IM | Sr.-3L | Pointe-Claire, Québec |
| Amy Miller | Relay Alternate | Fr.-HS | Baton Rouge, La. |
| Sydney Pickrem | 200/400 IM, 200 breast | So.-1L | Dunedin, Fla. |
| Claire Rasmus | 100/200/500 free | So.-1L | New Orleans, La. |