Rice University
Phill Hansel Invitational
Swimmers Extend Lead On 2nd Day At Houston Invitational
11/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
HOUSTON – The sophomore tandem of Alicia Caldwell and Kaitlyn Swinney both claimed individual events, with Caldwell later joining-in on a winning Rice relay, as the Owl swimmers extended their lead on the second day of action Friday night at the 10-team Phill Hansel Invitational held across town at the University of Houston.
With two of the three competition days completed, Rice leads a large group of ten participating teams with 773.5 points. Tulane is second with 584 points, followed by UC-Davis (572 points), meet host Houston (519) and Oregon State (503). Colorado State is sixth (476.5), with North Texas (394.5), New Mexico State (366.5), Idaho (358) and North Colorado (183) rounding out the field.
Swinney set the tone for Rice in the first individual event of the night. The sophomore from Fort Bend, Texas, won the rugged 400-yard individual medley with a personal best 4:17.38 that is not only an NCAA provisional qualifying time, but also the second-fastest mark in school history and the best by an Owl in four years. A big point-earning finish then got even bigger for Rice as Owls Hanna Huston and Shelbi Ragsdale finished sixth (after a 4:23.24 in morning prelims) and eighth (4:25.76 in prelims), respectively.
Caldwell (54.43) and Kiley Beall (54.94) finished first and second among a starting field of 56 entries in the 100-backstroke with a pair of NCAA provisional marks. Beall also made the NCAA ‘B' cut with a second place in the 100-butterfly with a 54.46 that is tied for the fourth-fastest mark in school history.
Caldwell's backstroke victory was shortly after she had come within a half-second of winning the 200-freestyle. The international standout from Australia was second with a season-best 1:48.62. She was joined in the event finals by Anniina Ala-Seppälä (4th, 1:49.26), Sydney Franzen (6th, 1:50.87) and Jaecey Parham (7th, 1:51.05). With placing four in the top seven of the individual 200-freestyle, it was easy to see Rice as the overwhelming favorite for the 4x200-free relay two events later.
The Owl delivered. The same Rice foursome teamed for a winning relay time of 7:22.13, a comfortable five seconds ahead of second place.
A Rice true freshman, Marie-Claire Schillinger was also a big scorer Friday. The rookie finished sixth in the 100-breaststroke with a sound and solid 1:02.88 that is the fourth-fastest mark in school history. The team's 200-medley relay was third in the meet with a 1:42.42 that is the top mark in Conference USA so far this season.
The Owls had another outstanding day of races, but there still six more events before the meet concludes on Sunday night. The remaining list of events is as follows:
Saturday's events 1650 Freestyle 200 Backstroke 100 Freestyle 200 Breaststroke 200 Butterfly 400 Freestyle Relay
Players Mentioned
