LAWRENCE, Kan. – Arkansas, admittedly tired after focusing on SEC meet, took a 178-118 loss to Kansas at the Robinson Natatorium Saturday morning.
Top Hogs
The team posted a total of 20 podium finishes, including five first-place finishes from swimmers Anna Hopkin, Peyton Palsha and the 400 free relay (3:26.85) foursome of Maddie London, Hopkin, Alyssa Lemon and Sarah Dalton Chambliss.
Hopkin had a fabulous day in the pool picking up three first-place finishes, a podium finish and an NCAA ‘B’ cut.
In the 50 free, the senior claimed first with an NCAA ‘B’ cut time of 22.76, outracing Kansas’ Autumn Looney by over two seconds. She then went on to win the 100 free, touching the wall at 49.77.
Palsha was the first Razorback to win an event, sweeping the 1,000 free (10:06.94). Lexi Ljunggren trailed right behind, finishing the event at 10:10.32.
Both distance swimmers later recorded first and second place in the 500 free, with Palsha getting a final time of 4:55.58 and Ljunggren finishing with a mark of 4:57.10.
Sophomore Vanessa Herrman had two podium finishes, taking second in the 100 breast (1:03.78) and third in the 200 IM (2:08.78). Molly Moore, Andrea Sansores, Kobie Melton and Emma Hultquist were the other Razorbacks to take podium finishes.
Estilla Mosena recorded a second-place finish in the 3- (273.68) and 1-meter (289.58). Freshman Josie Matalone combined for a score of 219.23 on the 1-meter and 253.28 on the 3-meter with both scores earning her a third-place finish.
Quotables
“Our team is tired from focusing and working hard this week for the SEC Championships. Kansas swam faster and dived better than we did today. Our focus continues to be the SEC Championships, which are still more than two weeks away. We already have five swimmers that have already made NCAAs, so hard work and fatigue are all they need to be dealing with right now. I am proud of the team for staying positive and focused. The days for the Hogs to shine are coming, and I am excited and confident.”
— Arkansas coach Neil Harper
