Dec. 1, 2007
Austin, Texas - Stanford finished its fall preseason in winning fashion as the Cardinal broke its 14-year-old school record in the 400 free relay and took four out of six events on the final night of competition at the Texas Invitational on Saturday.
Senior Brooke Bishop got the action started with a convincing win and an NCAA `A' qualifying standard in the 100 free with a time of 48.70. Her winning efforts were quickly followed by fellow team captain Caroline Bruce as she thrilled the crowd with a come from behind win in the 200 breaststroke, finishing in a time of 2:11.53. Also earning her ticket to the NCAA Championships in March was freshman Elizabeth Smith, who swam to a fourth place finish with a time of 2:13.74. This swim places her ninth on the list of Stanford's all time top 10 performers in the event. Sophomore Elaine Breeden kept the momentum going with a victory in the 200 fly, as she swam to a 1:54.11, also an NCAA `A' cut.
The swim of the meet came in the final event as the Cardinal team went the fastest time in Stanford history in the 400 free relay, winning the event in a time of 3:15.29. Freshman Kate Dwelley led the relay off, followed by Julia Smit and Fiona O'Donnell-McCarthy. Brooke Bishop anchored the relay with a split of 48.09.
Other notable swims included Smit, who achieved her third individual NCAA automatic cut in as many days, as she swam to a second place finish in the 200 back. Her time of 1:54.39 was second only to Olympic gold medalist Kirsty Coventry.
Achieving `B' time standards were senior captain Elizabeth Durot in the mile (1500 free) with a time of 16:49.26. Junior Andrea Axtell, as well as Bruce earned consideration times in the 200 back, swimming to marks of 1:59.25 and 2:00.29, respectively. Madeline Rovira (50.82), O'Donnell-McCarthy (49.39) and Dwelley achieved the `B' standard in the 100 free. Dwelley's time of 49.34 earned her the ninth place spot on the school's all-time Top 10 list. In the team's final individual event, sophomores Laura Wadden and Whitney Spence both swam to consideration cuts in the 200 fly, finishing in 1:59.22 and 2:01.99, respectively.
"I am very proud of the team," said Stanford head coach Lea Maurer. "We got better every day, and I know we are leaving this meet with a lot of things to build on as we continue our charge together for a great team effort in March and June."
Stanford divers concluded the Texas Invitational taking the top two spots in the platform event. Freshman Meg Hostage won the platform with a score of 261.75 while sophomore Shana Karp placed second with 229.55 points. Freshman Hallie Ivester had a strong showing on the platform placing fifth(219.70). Senior Katie Lampe and sophomore Carmen Stellar rounded out the top eight placing seventh (209.60) and eighth (205.65) respectively. Junior Sarah Ohr also competed for the Cardinal and finished 13th (179.70).
"Overall I am very pleased with how the girls performed," said Stanford diving coach Dr. Rick Schavone. "Meg [Hostage} and Shana [Karp] did a great job with their first and second place finishes. Having four in the top eight, with one being a win, was a great way to end the meet."
The Cardinal Swimmers will next compete on Sunday in the Texas Invitational Long Course Time Trials, which will be held at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center. Participants will use these events to measure their progress towards the Olympic Trials, which will be held in June.
Cardinal divers will return to action at a pair of home Pac-10 dual meets against Arizona State and Arizona on Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26.