Hopkin picks up second-fastest split in 200-medley at SEC Championships

AUBURN, Ala. — Arkansas finished the first day of the 2020 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships with Anna Hopkin earning the second-fastest split time in the 200 medley relay (20.82).

After one day of competition, the Razorbacks sit in 11th with 89 points.

The team of Andrea Sansores, Vanessa Herrmann, Kobie Melton and Hopkin finished in eighth place in the 200 medley relay with an NCAA ‘B’ cut time of 1:37.34, finishing second in their heat. This time also ranks the ladies second in Arkansas school history.

The women’s 800 freestyle relay team of Peyton Palsha, Emma Hultquist, Lexi Ljunggren and Alyssa Lemon touched the wall in 7:09.88 to finish in ninth place, good enough for the fourth-fastest time in program history.

Coach Neil Harper

“Today was a great start for us. We recorded a season-best in the 200 Medley Relay and got the NCAA B qualifying time. Andrea, Vanessa Kobie and Anna all had fast splits. The 800 free relay beat our time from SEC’s last year by 4 seconds. Peyton, Emma, Lexi and Alyssa all had personal bests so I am extremely proud and excited how well we are performing. We are all looking forward to our events tomorrow and hope we keep the tally of personal bests going.”

Next day of SEC Championships

The Razorbacks will be back in the pool tomorrow morning with prelims for the 500 free, 200 IM and 50 free beginning at 9:30 a.m. and wrap up the day with finals in the 200 free relay, 500 free, 200 IM and 50 free.

Day one results

Women’s 200 Medley Relay

8. Andrea Sansores, Vanessa Herrmann, Kobie Melton, Anna Hopkin – 1:37.34

Women’s 800 Free Relay

9. Peyton Palsha, Emma Hultquist, Lexi Ljunggren, Alyssa Lemon – 7:14.96

Women’s 1-Meter

20. Estilla Mosena – 242.30

32. Josephine Matalone – 206.80

Information from Razorback Sports Communications is included in this story.