Jan. 21, 2018
HOUSTON, Texas
The Vanderbilt swim team wrapped up a two-day competition against Arkansas and Houston Saturday morning at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium with Arkansas outscoring the Dores 283-64 and Houston finishing ahead 279-68.
Senior Brianna Sapienza led the Commodores with a win in the 100-yard butterfly, finishing in 55.32 seconds. Sapienza- along with Madison Eaker, Hannah Hunt, and Paige Hamilton – was also on the 200-yard medley relay team that tied for a third place finish in the first event of the day. Hunt turned in a good performance in the 200-yard breaststroke as well, taking a fourth place finish in 2:24:22.
“The fly is always a solid race for [Sapienza],” Head Coach Jeremy Organ said. “She’s been really consistent all year, her practice is showing in meets, and she’s putting herself in a good situation to go into the SECs.”
The team competed over the last two days a bit shorthanded, as some swimmers had to stay in Nashville battling illnesses. Vanderbilt swam a few new combinations in their relay events, events that the team has found success in this season. Organ mentioned how one of his focuses now is getting everyone healthy.
“We’re excited to get everyone back healthy,” Organ said. “There’s a good number of girls dealing with something, so it’ll be nice to get everyone back.”
The Commodores will now return to Nashville for a brief break before heading to Arkansas for a dual with Arkansas Little Rock on January 27. The dual with the Trojans is the last dual meet of the season for Vanderbilt.
After Little Rock, VU then heads back to Texas for the SEC Championships in College Station from February 14-18.
Organ, in his 12th season at the helm of the program, Organ said they aren’t looking past the Arkansas Little Rock meet, but are beginning to work on their plan for the SEC Championships.
“With just a few weeks left we’re working on fine-tuning some stuff,” Organ said. “We want to get up and represent at conference and have some fun.”
