NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For the second week in a row, the Vanderbilt swimming program will be competing in Arkansas as the Commodores are scheduled to take on host Little Rock and North Texas Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Donaghey Aquatic Center.
The Dores fell at Arkansas last weekend despite getting runner-up performances in nine different individual events against the Razorbacks.
Entering the final road meet of the regular season, Mercedes Traba and Ellie Taliaferro lead the Dores in four and three different events, respectively. Traba has the squad’s fastest time in the 500, 1,000 and 1,650 freestyle as well as the 400 individual medley, while Taliaferro has posted the top mark in the 100 and 200 free along with the 200 IM. Faith Knelson (100 and 200 breaststroke) and Kailia Utley (100 and 200 butterfly) also pace the Commodores in multiple races.
Megan Ciezczak has recorded the team’s top mark in the 50 free, with Sophia Kosturos and Grace Ciaramitaro leading Vandy in the 100 and 200 backstroke, respectively.
Prior to meeting Arkansas, Vandy also swam at Miami (Fla.) and Georgia since the start of the new year. The Commodores will face Tulane in the final meet of the regular season as well prior to competing at the SEC Championships.
“Over the next two weeks we need to focus on the process of putting the little pieces together into the sum of a whole successful race,” head coach Jeremy Organ said. “The travel and recent bad weather has taken its toll on us, but that is what it is so we have to reset mentally and be ready to go on race day.”
The Commodores have won all 11 previous meets with Little Rock, while this will be Vandy’s first-ever match-up with the Mean Green.
