Tulane Swimming and Diving Falls in Houston

Friday, January 21

Houston, TX

2:00 PM

Tulane University

121

179

University of Houston

Jan 21, 2022 | Women's Swimming and Diving

HOUSTON, Texas – Tulane swimming and diving competed in a dual meet versus the Houston Cougars this afternoon, grabbing seven first-place finishes in the 121-179 loss.

"This meet was a great celebration for the seniors. We had some strong swims (and dives) and this meet was the most competitive that I have seen for this season," head coach Leah Stancil said. "I was impressed with how much our technical skills are improving. I am always looking for growth at these competitions and the team continues to move forward. We have 26 days, and one more college meet before the start of AAC Championships., every practice is a movement towards a successful season."

Junior Lilly Byrne and Senior Noa Heron gave the Olive and Blue their first podium finishes of the day in the 1650-yard freestyle. Byrne clocked in at 16:58.31 while Heron hit the wall at 17:00.22. The pair would also place in the 500-yard free with Byrne taking the top spot at 5:00.12 and Heron the third-place spot at 5:01.23.

Teammate Iza Pelka would finish the 500-yard free behind Heron in fourth with a time of 5:04.70. Pelka would also get herself on the podium in the 200-yard free with a time of 1:52.05. Freshman Sam Krew and junior Kate Amar would occupy fourth and fifth at 1:53.02 and 1:55.49, respectively.

Sophomore Danielle Titus took first in both the100-yard back (56.23) and 200-yard back (2:00.43). Titus has won the 100-yard back in every meet this season.

Teammate Gianna Spremullo grabbed a first-place finish in the 200-yard IM, touching the wall at 2:04.47. The Sophomore would also finish in third in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:04.26 and third in the 200-yard fly at 2:04.23.

Christiana Williams would also find herself with a pair of podium finishes today, taking the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:19.21. Williams would also place second in the 100-yard breast with a time of 1:04.82.

Junior Mya Drost-Parra found herself out in front of the competition in the 200-yard fly with a time of 2:03.34 and in third in the 100-yard fly, hitting the wall at 57.58.

Also finishing on the podium was the Olive and Blue 400-yard free relay made up of Byrne, Heron, Krew and Pelka. The crew would finish with a time of 3:28.66.

In 3-meter diving, sophomore Paige Mckenzie would finish in second earning an overall score of 304.50, a career best and new Tulane record. Katie Lipsey, Gabby Hebert , Anna Behrman went fifth, sixth and seventh with scores of 256.05, 253.35 and 249.45, respectively.

"This was an amazing meet for our divers," diving coaching John Sirmon said. "We had a total of 9 season bests with 7 of those being a career-best and top it off Paige qualified for NCAA Zones on both boards including a new school record on three meter. These women have been handed a lot of adversity and it's amazing to watch them improve and succeed despite it. "

Tulane returns to action next weekend as they head to Atlanta on Friday, Jan. 28 to take on Georgia Tech and Arkansas. Action will begin at 2 p.m.

Be sure to follow the program on Facebook and Twitter (@GreenWaveSwim) and on Instagram (@TulaneSwimDive). Fans can also follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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