Little Rock Proves Grittiness to Close Tough Tri-Meet

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Trojans got things done at the two-day, three-team meet versus North Florida and Tulane this weekend, pulling away from the host team to secure second place as well as posting several impressive times in the thick of the season.
 
"I am really excited about what we accomplished this weekend," said head coach Nathan Townsend. "We proved to ourselves that we can race at a high level in the midst of tough training. We had close to 20 personal bests this weekend, several season bests, and many even getting close to their suited times from last season."

"This is great momentum for us as we move forward with our upcoming meets against Arkansas this Friday and then Saint Louis Henderson State for Parent's Weekend," he added. "This is just the start of a special season." 

FULL MEET RESULTS
 
Relays
Opening the day with the 200 medley relay, the team of Caitlin Romprey, Lauren Pieniazkiewicz, Karina Harr and Cheryl Poulsen put together a time of 1:48.59. They out-touched the North Florida A relay thanks to Poulsen's 23.71 anchor swim, the only 50 free split under 24 seconds in the entire race.

The day closed with a win once again, this time a dominant one in the 400 freestyle relay. Olivia Elgin, Jaelle Carlson, Pieniazkiewicz and Poulsen threw down a 3:30.71 to finish two and a half seconds ahead of the whole field, highlighted by a 51.95 second leg by Carlson as the only woman under 52 seconds. In addition,

Freestyle Highlights
The mile is not raced often at duals and tri-meets, but Duru Sibik and Niamh Carroll toughed it out with first-time swims in the event. Sibik posted an 18:35.58 while Carroll finished at 18:55.30.

For the second time throughout the weekend, the 200 freestyle was on deck, and today Carlson led the Trojans with a time of 1:53.95 for second place overall. Gabriella O'Neil also went under the two minute mark, clocking in at 1:58.04 to claim fourth.

The 100 freestyle was also a double over the two-day meet, and Carlson took first in the event for the second time, dropping from a 52.96 on Friday to a 52.38 on Saturday. Once again, no other swimmer was under 53 seconds. 

Backstroke Highlights
The backstroke gang proved that they are training partners with finishes just tenths apart in the 200 back. Olivia Henderson touched the wall at 2:10.63 while Romprey came in at 2:11.16 to take fourth and fifth, respectively, while Gillian Boggs and Taylor Floyd clocked in at 2:11.95 and 2:12.19.

Butterfly Highlights
The gutsy 200 butterfly was today, as Fer Moussier led the Trojans to touch the wall at 2:12.47.
 
Breaststroke Highlights
Adara Stoddard continued to pace the breaststroke group, coming in at 2:25.21 for fifth with seniors Harr and Lexie Shelton right behind at 2:26.89 and 2:27.27.
 
IM Highlights
The shorter IM races were today, beginning with the 200 IM. Elgin placed fourth with a time of 2:09.63, taking it out with the quickest first 50 split. Stoddard and Lexie Shelton were neck-and-neck, touching at 2:13.83 and 2:14.09, respectively.

While the 100 IM is not contested in postseason, the shorter individual medley appears at meets like this one on occasion. Elgin moved up to second in this one, clocking in at 1:00.06, just tenths away from appearing on the Little Rock top times list in the event.

Up Next
The Trojans will welcome the Arkansas Razorbacks to the Donaghey Aquatic Center on the campus of UA-Little Rock next Friday, Oct. 13 for a 10 a.m. dual between the state's only two Division I programs.

View the full 2023-24 Little Rock Swimming and Diving schedule here.

Final Scores
Tulane 274 - Little Rock 190
Little Rock 239 - North Florida 227
Tulane 294.5 - North Florida 170.5


For the latest information on Little Rock Swimming and Diving, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockSwim on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

#LittleRocksTeam