Swimming and Diving Claims First Ever Dual-Meet Win Over SMU

Friday, October 6

New Orleans

3 PM

Tulane University

172

127

SMU

Photo by: Parker Waters

Swimming and Diving Claims First Ever Dual-Meet Win Over SMU

Oct 6, 2017 | Women's Swimming and Diving

Meet Results

NEW ORLEANS – The Tulane women's swimming and diving team posted a gigantic dual-meet victory over conference rival SMU on Friday afternoon, knocking off the Mustangs 172-127 at the Reily Natatorium.

The Wave rolled early in the meet – winning four of the first five swimming events – and continued to put the pressure on the Mustangs throughout the meet. Tulane eventually finished with eight event victories.

The win was Tulane's first ever against SMU in a dual meet. In the teams' four previous meetings dating back to 1983, SMU was undefeated at 4-0. The Mustangs have won their conference championship 17 of the last 21 years.

"This team is on a roll and they're doing a really good job," said coach Katie Robinson. "We're just supporting each other through every swim and we're doing a good job of being a team. I'm overjoyed and sometimes shocked at some of the times we're putting up."

Now that's how you start conference season! Check out all of the big moments from Tulane's victory over SMU! #RollWave pic.twitter.com/L7tXHR8uM9
— Tulane Swim & Dive (@GreenWaveSwim) October 7, 2017

Tulane began the swimming events on a high note as Paris Zhang, Lena Hayakawa, Gabby Vieira and Courtney Barker combined for a victory in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:45.22. They were immediately followed by another event victory from Olivia Johnson in the 1000 free with a time of 10:10.54.

Also in the 1000 free, freshman Ellie Vincent set a new personal best with a time of 10:36.38.

Later, Paris Zhang won the 100 back in 55.26, Lena Hayakawa claimed the 100 breast title in 1:04.80 and Courtney Barker won the 50 free in 24.25. Kate McDonald was your champion in the 200 breast with a time of 2:18.82, and school-record-holder Morgan Tacik won the 500 free with a time of 4:58.56.

Tulane also closed the meet in style, putting on a show with a 200 free relay victory thanks to the swimming of Shelly Zelnick, Zhang, Barker and senior Kaitlin Simpson. The quartet touched the wall in 1:35.75 to put an exclamation point on the victory.

"[Simpson] held her composure in that race really well," Robison said. "A senior racing at the end of a relay…they're going to race with a lot of heart and guts. That's what she did, and we're really excited for them."

Tulane returns to the pool on October 21 when it travels to Pensacola, Fla., to take on West Florida.