Rice University
C-USA Championship
Swimmers Take Second At C-USA Championships
2/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Senior Erin Flanigan won her third-straight Conference USA individual title in the mile to highlight the Owls' final day of action at the league Championships Friday in Knoxville, Tenn.
After beginning the day in third place in the team standings, Rice battled-back with Saturday's highest point total (249 pts.) to finish second in the seven-team field. Florida International won the C-USA title with 765 points while the Owls touched the wall at 661.5. Western Kentucky was third (444 pts.), followed by Marshall (484), North Texas (357), Florida Atlantic (323.5) and Old Dominion (294).
Rice had won back-to-back conference swim championships in 2013 and 2014, and three of the last four with a title in 2011. Owl head coach Seth Huston stated this weekend's final result was not what he and the team had wanted, but he was pleased how the Blue & Gray competed.
"We really had a very good meet, with a lot of lifetime bests up and down the lineup," coach Huston said. "We were down in third, and I am happy how we competed to come back. I am proud of our seniors, who gave us a lot this weekend. Our freshmen were incredible, putting up the times they did in our biggest meet of the year. You just have to tip your hat to FIU, they have a lot of firepower and did a great job."
Senior Erin Flanigan initiated the Owl charge by winning the mile for the third-straight time dating back to her sophomore year. Her 16:27.98 was an NCAA provisional qualifying time. Junior Taylor Armstrong was tenth in the event with a season-best 17:00.24.
Rice scored big in the 100-freestyle with three of the top six spots. While Casey Clark was second (49.56), Alicia Caldwell was fourth (50.07) and Cora McKenzie sixth (50.64), Marissa Konicke stepped up to win the consolation final with a 50.61.
The 200-butterfly had a similar scoring pattern. Clark placed fourth (1:58.44) and freshman duo of Kaitlin Benjamin (1:59.78) and Kiley Beall (2:00.00) were fifth and sixth, respectively. Meaghan Wisenbaker, who was sidelined all last season with an injury, won the consolation final with a season-best 2:02.17.
Earlier in the day Beall broke the school record to take fifth in the 200-backstroke (1:57.39). Faith Hirschi reached the championship finals and placed eighth after a 1:59.73 in the prelims.
The senior tandem of Rachel Moody and Madison Livingston paced Rice in the 200-breaststroke. Moody was third (2:14.30) and Livingston completed her sensational weekend with a 2:16.72 for seventh.
Caldwell, McKenzie, Moody and Konicke teamed to take second in the 400-freestyle relay to close out the meet. Caldwell's 49.84 on the lead leg started the foursome strong, and the group went on to post the second-fastest time in the event in school history 3:19.60.
"We swam well," Huston was clear to emphasize. "It makes me glad this not our last meet this season. We have some opportunities to swim fast again, and we're going to make the most of them."
Players Mentioned
