Hopkin takes second place, Hogs finish 19th at NCAA championships

AUSTIN, Texas — In the final day at the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, junior Anna Hopkin earned a second-place finish on the way to a program record in the 100-yard freestyle.

The Razorbacks finished in 19th place with 63 points, the highest finish for the team since 1988.

Hopkin kicked off the day’s events with a second-place finish (46.61) in the 100 yard freestyle preliminaries, breaking the program record for the first time of the day.

She recorded a second-place finish in the finals with a time of 46.56, earning All-American honors with the fourth-fastest time in the NCAA.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Kobie Melton, Hopkin, Molly Moore, and Marlena Pigliacampi earned a 24th place finish with a 3:16.60. The relay was the third-fastest time of the season and fourth-fastest in program history.

Sophomore Peyton Palsha swam the final individual event of the meet, finishing 32nd overall with a time of 16:40.20.

“I am so proud of this team and what we have achieved this year,” coach Neil Harper said. “Two years ago we were 11th in the SEC and not ranked at the NCAA Championships. After three days of giving it everything we had, we are a Top-20 team!

“Brooke and Anna led us the entire year and performed brilliantly here, but this was a total team effort. We had eight Razorbacks here this year and have built a great foundation for the next few years. I’m so excited for our ladies, our program, and the Razorbacks family.”

The Hogs’ 19th place finish is the first time since 1988 the program has earned a Top-20 finish, just the third Top-20 finish in program history.