School Record Highlights Swimming & Diving's Sixth Place Finish at Phill Hansel Invitational

Friday, November 18

Houston, Texas

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Tulane University

Phill Hansel Invite

School Record Highlights Swimming & Diving's Sixth Place Finish at Phill Hansel Invitational

Nov 21, 2016 | Women's Swimming and Diving

Results

HOUSTON - Tulane swimming & diving freshman Olivia Johnson set the school record in the 400 IM, and Green Wave swimmers notched numerous personal records, as Tulane achieved a sixth place finish overall at the Phill Hansel Invitational this past weekend in Houston.

The Green Wave secured its sixth place finish with 690.5 points against a field of 11 teams. Houston emerged victorious with 1,392.5 points and was followed by Rice (1,214), UC Davis (841), Colorado State (796), New Mexico (706.5), Tulane, Idaho (668.5), North Texas (574), Vanderbilt (554), New Mexico State (391) and Incarnate Word (91).

"I'm very proud of how our swimmers fought and [sophomore Anise Muir] dove throughout the three days," head coach Katie Robinson said. "Our swimmers set 18 personal records and I think that's very impressive. I'm very proud of the fact that we have a new school record in the 400 IM. All of our relays were very strong at this meet and I'm excited about our potential going forward. I'm also excited by the depth of our team. We only competed with 17 swimmers and one diver, and to finish in sixth place with only 18 total athletes is a very impressive feat."

Johnson broke the school record (4:21.02), previously set by Holly Grender at the American Athletic Conference Championship (pre) in Feb. 2015, on Day Two in Prelims, when she finished third in the 400 IM (4:18.45). Later that day in the Finals, Johnson swam to another third place finish to reset the record (4:17.88) and record a NCAA B-Cut time.

"[Johnson's performance in the 400 IM] was historic," Robinson said. "I'm really proud of her hard work and strength."

Freshman Morgan Tacik, sophomore Nina Gonzalez and junior Alex Brindisi continued the Green Wave's weekend of great individual performances by each winning their respective 200 fly finals. Tacik finished first (2:00.30) in the A Final, Gonzalez placed first (2:02.68) in the B Final and Brindisi earned a first place finish in the E Final (2:07.39). Tacik and Gonzalez' times are both personal records. Sophomore Shelly Zelnick tied her school record in the 200 back with a time of 1:59.07 to earn a NCAA B-Cut time.

"We set many personal records throughout the Invitational, which is really fantastic and shows the great strength of our athletes," Robinson said. "The challenges we faced at this meet are going to build character that we will need to rely upon for our in-conference meets. I'm proud of our women and I know that they will be even stronger in the future."

Tulane will next hold its first home meet of the season, when it hosts LSU at the Reily Student-Recreation Center Natatorium in New Orleans, 11 AM on Dec. 3.

Final Standings:
1. Houston
2. Rice
3. UC Davis
4. Colorado State
5. New Mexico
6. Tulane
7. Idaho
8. North Texas
9. Vanderbilt
10. New Mexico State
11. Incarnate Word