Razorbacks Top Commodores, Hold Lead Versus North Texas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas swim and dive team defeated Vanderbilt in its regular season finale by a score of 145-108 Friday afternoon.
It was a dominant effort on the swim side, as the Hogs placed first in 13 out of 14 events. An emotional pre-meet celebration powered senior Sydney Craft to lead the way, as she won both the 1,000 freestyle and 200 butterfly. Junior Tammy Greenwood also hauled in two victories of her own — grabbing the 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke.
Graduate senior Aris Runnels made her first — and last — home meet at Arkansas special by placing first in the 100 backstroke. The Razorbacks would also sweep both the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. Other first-place finishers included freshman Ellen Garritson (100 breaststroke), junior Harriet Rogers (50 freestyle), sophomore Holly Robinson (400 IM), freshman Kate Bradley (500 freestyle), freshman Sophia Lickman (100 butterfly), and freshman Viola Petrini (100 freestyle).
“I thought it was a great meet and an emotional one for our seniors,” head coach Neil Harper said. “We had a really hard week of practice, but we wanted to challenge ourselves with the meet versus Vanderbilt. I am very happy with where we are and looking forward to preparing for SECs. Excited for the seniors, I thought they made a great representation of themselves — all four of them. It was great to see their families here celebrating their final year here.”
The Razorback divers had a great start to their head-to-head versus North Texas, winning both the 1 and 3-meter events on Friday.
Sophomore Lotti Hubert placed first in the 1-meter event with a total score of 341.70. On 3-meter, sophomore Majo Sanchez grabbed first with a total score of 344.63. The lone senior diver Malea Martinez, saved her best performances for her last dual-meet in the HPER Natatorium, hitting personal bests in both events with scores of 325.20 (1-meter) and 332.78 (3-meter).
“The girls dove fantastic today,” head diving coach Abel Sanchez said. “It was a great showing, especially for our senior Malea Martinez, who has been here for four years and done an excellent job for us. She was my first recruit here at the University of Arkansas, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. We have a few more weeks until SECs and I’m excited for the ladies. Go Hogs!”
Diving will resume competition against North Texas at 10 am on Saturday, Jan. 31.
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