Oct. 28, 2005
Stanford, Calif. - No. 4 Stanford (1-0) jumped out to a commanding 114-53 lead over No. 7 Texas (0-0-1) at the conclusion of action Friday on the first day of a two-day dual meet between the perennial national powers at the Avery Aquatic Center. Stanford set the tone by breaking the pool record in the meet-opening 200 free relay and never looked back after a team of Madeline Rovira, Desiree Stahley, Erica Liu and Brooke Bishop covered the race in an NCAA "B" time of 1:33.55. The Cardinal wound up winning all eight of the swimming events.
Bishop led the way by taking the 200 back in an NCAA "A" time of 1:56.75 that tied her for fifth on Stanford's list of all-time performers in the event and smashed her personal previous career-best (1:59.20). Bishop put together the performance just after winning the previous event when she captured the 100 free with an NCAA "B" mark of 50.22.
"Brooke Bishop is a tremendous leader both in and out of the pool," commented Stanford head coach Lea Maurer. "I was happy to see her celebrate both of her individual back-to-back wins. That should send a message to her that she is in great shape and is a great swimmer."
"The first three events of a meet can set the tone," continued Maurer. "We responded aggressively at the start and then stayed focused. We raced with a little more confidence today, and I hope this performance can be a good stepping stone."
Kristen Caverly was a winner in her first action of the season, taking the 200 breast in 2:14.96 as part of a group of four swimmers that set NCAA "B" marks. Liu was second in 2:15.90, followed by Elizabeth Tinnon (2:16.34) and Alexandra Spann (2:16.58) of Texas.
"It was really exciting and amazing meet," said Caverly. "The way we performed shows our potential for this year. Everyone had a lot of fun and fed off each other's races. For me personally, I'm happy to be back. It's fun to participate with everyone, and I really enjoy competing."
"We needed her today, and she came through with a victory," added Maurer. "This sends the message that people can really step up when we need them."
Laura Davis (400 IM, 4:19.61), Dana Kirk (100 fly, 54.19) and Morgan Hentzen (500 free, 4:50.10) also contributed individual event wins in NCAA "B" times for the Cardinal.
Bishop added her fourth victory in the final event of the day by swimming the leadoff leg of Stanford's winning 400 medley relay team (3:42.64, NCAA "B") that also included Liu, Kirk and Rovira.Kathryn Kelly (3-meter diving, 295.42) was the lone event winner for Texas.
Elizabeth Wycliffe also had a notable performance for the Longhorns, posting an NCAA "A" time of 1:57.23 with her second-place finish to Bishop in the 200 back as the two were locked in a ferocious and tight battle throughout the entire race.
Stahley (500 free, 4:52.58) and Andrea Axtell (200 back, 2:01.29) added NCAA "B" times for the Cardinal with second and third-place finishes, while Macie Garrett's third-place showing in the 500 free also came in an NCAA "B" mark of 4:53.00.
"I'm really proud of the way we swam today," summarized Maurer. "I'm proud of our heart and camaraderie.
The teams conclude the meet with the final 10 events on Saturday's second day of action beginning at 9:00 am, PT.