Feb. 16, 2018
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Vanderbilt continued to break records at the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships Friday, with four personal-records and one school-record falling at the Recreation Center Natatorium on the campus of Texas A&M.
Breanna Sapienza broke her own personal- and school-record in the 100-yard butterfly during the preliminary races Friday morning, finishing in 52.93. Her previous record was 53.41, which she set last season. After finishing 12th in qualifying, she placed fifth in the “B” final.
“It’s a really great feeling,” Sapienza said. “It’s great to finish off a senior year breaking a record like that.”Lauren Bergmann beat a personal-record in the 100 fly during the prelims as well, touching the wall at 55.67, beating her old mark of 56.31.
“The girls are really stepping up this week and getting some fast swims,” said assistant coach Jenn Cahill. “The team is getting behind each other.”
Vanderbilt broke more personal-records in the 400-yard freestyle relays. Namilla Sanchez swam to a 1:51.18 and Madison Eaker posted a 1:52.26, each setting new personal-bests.”It was a really exciting race for me,” Eaker said. “I’ve been at 1:53 for about three years now, and I really wanted to break 1:52.”
“We set our goals in the beginning of the season, and we have those goals in mind,” Cahill said. “It’s a big stage here and we want to stay excited, but the [student-athletes] are doing a good job of keeping their emotions together.”
Lindsey Gordon and Brooke Ellis swam in the prelims of the 400-yard IM as well to open Friday.
Vanderbilt returns to the pool Saturday morning for Day 4 of the SEC Championships, with the preliminary races of the 200-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke, and 100-yard breaststroke.
“There are still a lot of swims left,” Cahill said. “We’re getting better and gaining momentum as the meet goes on.”
REMAINING EVENTS
Commodores scheduled to swim in events in bold
SATURDAY, FEB. 17
200 fly prelims
100 back prelims
100 breast prelims
200 fly finals
100 back finals
100 breast finals
400 medley relay finals
SUNDAY, FEB. 18
200 back prelims
100 free prelims
200 breast prelims
1650 free finals
200 back finals
100 free finals
200 breast finals
400 free relay finals
