University of Houston
Day 3
Cougars Finish Weekend with 30 Top-10 Finishes
12/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
FULL RESULTS
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The University of Houston swimming team wrapped up the 2014 UIW Christmas Invitational on Sunday with more success from the relay teams, and sophomore Rachel Hobbins had a great performance in the 1650-yard freestyle at the Aquatic Center at Palo Alto College.
"It is always a challenge to keep the energy going on the final day of a meet, as everyone already has two days of tough racing under their belts," said Houston interim head coach Keith Dawley. "With that said, I thought we showed grit in earning several spots in the finals and taking advantage of our racing opportunities."
The relay teams had another outstanding day to round out the invitational. The team of Maya Owens, Doroteja Bednjanec, Michaela Hamrick and Emma Moore captured fourth place, netting a time of 3:29.66 in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The team of Taylor Derevyanik, Caitlin Horner, Mackenzie Alspaugh and Taylor Gregory scored a time of 3:34.63 to take seventh place in the event.
Hobbins had an outstanding 1650-yard freestyle race, finishing fifth with a time of 17:30.82.
Bednjanec, Hamrick and Moore each earned top-10 spots in the 100-yard freestyle. Bednjanec finished eighth in a time of 51.86 and Hamrick was one place behind her, swimming a time of 52.40. Moore came in 10th with a swim of 52.61.
"Freestyle races continue to be a strong point for us," said Dawley. "Rachel especially had an outstanding mile, pulling away from a close race in the last 300 yards to lock up a fifth place finish."
In the 200-yard breaststroke, Ashley Grijalva took sixth with a time of 2:23.74. Marissa Lehman followed in seventh, turning in a swim of 2:24.41.
Overall, the Cougars finished the weekend with 30 top-10 finishes.
"This meet was a great experience for us as I think we grew as a team and proved to ourselves that we can swim fast even when we aren't rested," said Dawley. "If we continue to step up to challenges the rest of the season the way we did this weekend, it's exciting to think about what we can accomplish."
RESULTS
1. Rice - 2273.5
2. North Texas - 1357
3. UIW - 1253
4. Houston - 971.5
1650-yard Freestyle
5. Rachel Hobbins - 17:30.82
200-yard Backstroke
14. Jasmine Williams - 2:07.80
15. Taylor Derevyanik - 2:08.58
17. Victoria Padial - 2:08.14
18. Mackenzie Alspaugh - 2:08.76
100-yard Freestyle
8. Doroteja Bednjanec - 51.86
9. Michaela Hamrick - 52.40
10. Emma Moore - 52.61
13. Caitlin Horner - 53.27
19. Taylor Gregory - 53.60
200-yard Breaststroke
6. Ashley Grijalva - 2:23.74
7. Marissa Lehman - 2:24.41
200-yard Butterfly
11. Leah Ortiz - 2:12.90
400-yard Freestyle Relay
4. Houston A - 3:29.66
Owens, Bednjanec, Hamrick and Moore
7. Houston B - 3:34.63
Derevyanik, Horner, Alspaugh and Gregory
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
The Houston swimmers and divers will compete again at the LSU Quad Meet, to be held January 30-31 in Baton Rouge, La.
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
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Players Mentioned
