The Texas A&M Women's Swimming and Diving team competed at the Southeastern Conference Championships in Georgia last week. As the reigning conference champs, the Aggies arrived in Athens ready for a battle. After five days of tough and grueling competition, A&M came out on top yet again, earning their fourth consecutive SEC crown.
The Aggies started the meet strong on day one with promising showings in two relays and 3-meter diving. The 200 medley relay placed fifth and earned an NCAA A cut. Divers Haley Allen, Charlye Campbell and Alaïs Kalonji placed 10th, 11th and 12th, respectively. Finally, the 800 freestyle relay (junior Katie Portz, seniors Claire Rasmus, McKenna DeBever and Sydney Pickrem) became SEC champions, winning the event with a school-record time of 6:54.47.
"This is one of the most nerve-racking races since it's the first one," said Pickrem, who anchored the relay. "We were just focusing on our own race and getting it done."
"The energy at the SEC meet is at a whole other level", Portz explained. "Bringing in the gold makes everyone go to bed at night wanting to bring home a gold for themselves and the team".
After the impressive start on day one, the Aggies went into day two with confidence. The day's events included the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle, 1-meter diving, and 200 freestyle relay.
A&M started strong with the 500 freestyle, as sophomores Haley Yelle and Rasmus placed 4th and 5th, respectively. A total of three Aggies made the A final in the 200 IM, and Pickrem swam an exciting race to earn the silver medal and a new school record.
All eyes were then directed to the diving well. Charlye Campbell finished fourth in the 1M dive, only three points from securing the bronze. Kalonji added an eighth-place finish for the Aggies in the event.
To finish out day two, the 200 freestyle relay team of Raena Eldridge, Golf Sapianchai, Emma Carlton and Claire Rasmus finished fifth. With an excellent second day, the Texas A&M women built a lead of nearly 50 points over the 2nd place Florida Gators.
The 400 IM, known as one of the Aggies best events, was first up on day three of the meet. Dropping two full seconds off her personal best time, senior Monika Gonzalez-Hermosillo swam a remarkable race that earned her a bronze medal. Sophomore Taylor Pike snagged a spot in the 100 butterfly A final, also beating her personal record. Wrapping up the day, Rasmus and Portz both swam notable races in the 200 freestyle championship final.
A&M still held a comfortable lead following the third day of the event. The Aggies could see the end in sight, but knew they still had work to do to secure the SEC title.
There were five events scheduled on day four. Pike and Jing Quah started the night off right in the 200 butterfly. Quah took the silver, and Pike finished close behind in fourth to set the tone for the evening.
Highlighting the session was junior Anna Belousova, who took the gold in the 100 breaststroke with an outstanding time of 57.99. Freshman Kylie Powers also placed in the A final of the 100 breaststroke, securing her spot at the NCAA Championships next month.
"I honestly felt very nervous going into my 100 breaststroke", Belousova remembered. "But I heard my team and knew there was no way I was going to let them down. The entire team ran to my lane after the race and almost knocked me down, but I honestly couldn't expect anything less from a team that cares so much about each other".
The women's platform diving finals followed, in which diver Kalonji placed third. The 400 medley relay of junior Sara Metzsch, Belousova, Quah and Rasmus finished up an amazing night for the Aggies with a fifth place finish. The day's stunning results resulted in nearly a 100-point lead for the A&M swimmers heading into the fifth and final day.
Like they always do, the Lady Ags were ready to finish the meet strong.
The 200 breaststroke provided Texas A&M with another great opportunity for points, as Pickrem and Belousova placed top two in the event last year. The duo repeated the performance with a gold for Belousova and a silver for Pickrem.
"Just as everyone expected of us, we went one-two", Belousova proudly stated. "I don't think it mattered to either of us at that point who won".
Ending the meet with a solid swim was Eldridge, Sapianchai, DeBever and Rasmus in the 400 freestyle relay. The Aggies had secured the SEC title.
The Texas A&M women crowded together on the podium to proudly hold their new trophy and sway to the War Hymn for the fourth straight year. Per tradition, the entire team and staff jumped into the diving well to celebrate their victory, following head coach Steve Bultman's legendary belly flop.
The Aggies are in the middle of a very successful championship season, giving them the momentum they need for another incredible NCAA Championships. Maybe after this year, the Fightin' Texas Aggie dominance won't come as a shock to anyone.
Individual Results:
Key:
SB: Season Best
PB: Personal Best
A: A finalist
NCAA: new NCAA qualifier
B: bronze medalist
S: silver medalist
G: gold medalist
SR: school record
The Aggies started the meet strong on day one with promising showings in two relays and 3-meter diving. The 200 medley relay placed fifth and earned an NCAA A cut. Divers Haley Allen, Charlye Campbell and Alaïs Kalonji placed 10th, 11th and 12th, respectively. Finally, the 800 freestyle relay (junior Katie Portz, seniors Claire Rasmus, McKenna DeBever and Sydney Pickrem) became SEC champions, winning the event with a school-record time of 6:54.47.
"This is one of the most nerve-racking races since it's the first one," said Pickrem, who anchored the relay. "We were just focusing on our own race and getting it done."
"The energy at the SEC meet is at a whole other level", Portz explained. "Bringing in the gold makes everyone go to bed at night wanting to bring home a gold for themselves and the team".
After the impressive start on day one, the Aggies went into day two with confidence. The day's events included the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 50 freestyle, 1-meter diving, and 200 freestyle relay.
A&M started strong with the 500 freestyle, as sophomores Haley Yelle and Rasmus placed 4th and 5th, respectively. A total of three Aggies made the A final in the 200 IM, and Pickrem swam an exciting race to earn the silver medal and a new school record.
All eyes were then directed to the diving well. Charlye Campbell finished fourth in the 1M dive, only three points from securing the bronze. Kalonji added an eighth-place finish for the Aggies in the event.
To finish out day two, the 200 freestyle relay team of Raena Eldridge, Golf Sapianchai, Emma Carlton and Claire Rasmus finished fifth. With an excellent second day, the Texas A&M women built a lead of nearly 50 points over the 2nd place Florida Gators.
The 400 IM, known as one of the Aggies best events, was first up on day three of the meet. Dropping two full seconds off her personal best time, senior Monika Gonzalez-Hermosillo swam a remarkable race that earned her a bronze medal. Sophomore Taylor Pike snagged a spot in the 100 butterfly A final, also beating her personal record. Wrapping up the day, Rasmus and Portz both swam notable races in the 200 freestyle championship final.
A&M still held a comfortable lead following the third day of the event. The Aggies could see the end in sight, but knew they still had work to do to secure the SEC title.
There were five events scheduled on day four. Pike and Jing Quah started the night off right in the 200 butterfly. Quah took the silver, and Pike finished close behind in fourth to set the tone for the evening.
Highlighting the session was junior Anna Belousova, who took the gold in the 100 breaststroke with an outstanding time of 57.99. Freshman Kylie Powers also placed in the A final of the 100 breaststroke, securing her spot at the NCAA Championships next month.
Anna Belousova, back-to-back SEC Champion! ????
— Texas A&M Swimming (@AggieSwimDive) February 23, 2019
?? #SECSD19 live: https://t.co/6kd8KtEWDE#ButTheyDid #GigEm pic.twitter.com/Wwa4KLMuC9
"I honestly felt very nervous going into my 100 breaststroke", Belousova remembered. "But I heard my team and knew there was no way I was going to let them down. The entire team ran to my lane after the race and almost knocked me down, but I honestly couldn't expect anything less from a team that cares so much about each other".
The women's platform diving finals followed, in which diver Kalonji placed third. The 400 medley relay of junior Sara Metzsch, Belousova, Quah and Rasmus finished up an amazing night for the Aggies with a fifth place finish. The day's stunning results resulted in nearly a 100-point lead for the A&M swimmers heading into the fifth and final day.
Bronze for Alais Kalonji in the platform dive! #ButTheyDid #GigEm pic.twitter.com/dE2qZEM314
— Texas A&M Swimming (@AggieSwimDive) February 23, 2019
Like they always do, the Lady Ags were ready to finish the meet strong.
The 200 breaststroke provided Texas A&M with another great opportunity for points, as Pickrem and Belousova placed top two in the event last year. The duo repeated the performance with a gold for Belousova and a silver for Pickrem.
Belousova and Pickrem go 1-2 in the 200 breast!
— Texas A&M Swimming (@AggieSwimDive) February 24, 2019
You won't want to miss the end of #SECSD19 ?? Watch live: https://t.co/IpMaFUG6x5#ButTheyDid #GigEm pic.twitter.com/53koNjcoYS
"Just as everyone expected of us, we went one-two", Belousova proudly stated. "I don't think it mattered to either of us at that point who won".
Ending the meet with a solid swim was Eldridge, Sapianchai, DeBever and Rasmus in the 400 freestyle relay. The Aggies had secured the SEC title.
The Texas A&M women crowded together on the podium to proudly hold their new trophy and sway to the War Hymn for the fourth straight year. Per tradition, the entire team and staff jumped into the diving well to celebrate their victory, following head coach Steve Bultman's legendary belly flop.
What a ride. 4?? in a row!#ButTheyDid #GigEm pic.twitter.com/6QMKZjQ3LQ
— Texas A&M Swimming (@AggieSwimDive) February 24, 2019
The Aggies are in the middle of a very successful championship season, giving them the momentum they need for another incredible NCAA Championships. Maybe after this year, the Fightin' Texas Aggie dominance won't come as a shock to anyone.
??????#ButTheyDid #GigEm pic.twitter.com/MdPrjNyVNa
— Texas A&M Swimming (@AggieSwimDive) February 24, 2019
Individual Results:
| Athlete | Classification | Notable Events | Total Points |
| Haley Allen | Junior | 1 mtr Diving 3 mtr Diving |
|
| Amanda Armstrong | Freshman | 200 medley relay (SB) 50 freestyle (SB) 100 backstroke (PB) |
|
| Anna Belousova | Junior | 200 medley relay (SB) 200 IM (PB) 100 breaststroke (PB) (G) 400 medley relay (SB) 200 breaststroke (PB) (G) |
79 |
| Charlye Campbell | Sophomore | 1 mtr Diving (A) 3 mtr Diving |
26 |
| Emma Carlton | Freshman | 200 medley relay (SB) 50 freestyle (SB) 200 freestyle relay (SB) 100 butterfly (SB) 100 backstroke (SB) |
19 |
| McKenna DeBever | Senior | 800 freestyle relay (SR) (G) 200 IM (PR) (NCAA) (A) 200 freestyle (SB) 200 backstroke (PB) 400 freestyle relay (SB) |
52 |
| Raena Eldridge | Senior | 200 medley relay (SB) 50 freestyle (PB) 200 freestyle relay (SB) 100 backstroke (PB) 100 freestyle (PB) 400 freestyle relay (SB) |
31 |
| Joy Field | Sophomore | 500 freestyle (SB) 1650 freestyle (SB) |
25 |
| Monika Gonzalez-Hermosillo | Senior | 200 IM (PB) (A) 400 IM (PB) (B) |
58 |
| Alas Kalonji | Senior | 3 mtr diving 1 mtr diving (A) Platform Diving (B) |
49 |
| Sara Metzsch | Junior | 200 freestyle (SB) 100 backstroke (PB) 400 medley relay (SB) 200 backstroke (SB) |
26 |
| Sydney Pickrem | Senior | 800 freestyle relay (SR) (G) 200 IM (PB) (S) (SR) 200 breaststroke (SB) (S) |
56 |
| Taylor Pike | Sophomore | 100 butterfly (PB) (A) 200 butterfly (A) 200 backstroke (PB) |
48 |
| Katie Portz | Junior | 800 freestyle relay (SR) (G) 500 freestyle (SB) 200 freestyle (A) |
37 |
| Kylie Powers | Freshman | 200 IM (PB) 100 breaststroke (PB) (NCAA) |
25 |
| Jing Quah | Sophomore | 100 butterfly (SB) 200 butterfly (SB) (S) 400 medley relay (SB) |
44 |
| Claire Rasmus | Senior | 800 freestyle relay (SR) (G) 500 freestyle (SB) (A) 200 freestyle relay (SB) 200 freestyle (SB) (A) 400 medley relay (SB) 100 freestyle (SB) 400 freestyle relay (SB) |
68 |
| Victoria Roubique | Junior | 200 IM (SB) 100 breaststroke (PB) 200 breaststroke (PB) |
31 |
| Golf Sapianchai | Junior | 50 freestyle (PB) 200 freestyle relay (SB) 200 freestyle (PB) 100 freestyle (PB) 400 freestyle relay (SB) |
16 |
| Caroline Theil | Freshman | 200 IM (PB) 400 IM (PB) 200 breaststroke (PB) |
12 |
| Camryn Toney | Sophomore | 200 IM (PB) 400 IM (PB) (NCAA) 200 butterfly (PB) |
29 |
| Haley Yelle | Sophomore | 500 freestyle (PB) (A) 200 freestyle (PB) 1650 freestyle (A) |
62 |
Key:
SB: Season Best
PB: Personal Best
A: A finalist
NCAA: new NCAA qualifier
B: bronze medalist
S: silver medalist
G: gold medalist
SR: school record