Little Rock Swim and Dive Caps Off Historic Fall Season with Strong Performance Against Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, AR –The Little Rock Trojans' Swim & Dive team delivered an impressive performance at the recent dual meet against the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Despite falling to the Hogs 111-176, with the challenge of facing a powerhouse SEC program, the Trojans showcased their talent and determination, with several standout swims that highlighted their depth and competitive spirit.

"t's always great racing our in-state rivals. Coach Harper has an excellent program so the competition is always very strong. Really proud of our women and how they stepped up today. It's a challenge racing fast at this point in training, but the Trojans always show up. " said Head Coach Nathan Townsend on his team's performance. 

 

---

Top Performances of the Meet:

Carol Heinz, a freshman from Little Rock, put on a steady and controlled race from start to finish, ultimately finishing second in the event with a time of 10:37.51. While she was edged out by Arkansas-Fayetteville's top swimmer in the event, she achieved a lifetime best in the performance.

Following up on this impressive performance was fellow freshman Beatriz Comini Romero, who went head-to-head with the Razorbacks in the 200 freestyle. With a stellar swim, she touched the wall in second place, clocking a lifetime-best time of 1:53.99 to kick off her meet in outstanding fashion.

Jaelle Carlson, a senior from Little Rock, was the highlight of the meet with a spectacular performance in the women's 50-yard freestyle. Carlson claimed the top spot with a time of 23.39, narrowly edging out University of Arkansas. Her explosive start and strong finish helped her power through to victory, as well ass claiming the top MVC position in the event.

In a standout moment for Little Rock Swim & Dive, Romero continued her exciting lifetime best streak whilst showcasing her skill and determination in the 200-yard backstroke event ,earning a third-place finish with a time of 2:06.43.

The Trojans also found success in the 100-yard breaststroke, with Lauren Pieniazkiewicz finishing third with a time of 1:06.31, while Olivia Elgin followed up with a time of 1:07.43 for fifth place. In the 200-yard breaststroke, teammates Adara Stoddard (2:23.04) and Anna Nishizaki (2:24.50) also contributed strong finishes to the team's overall success.

In the women's 500-yard freestyle, Heinz put forth a strong effort, finishing in 5:11.23 to earn third place. Meanwhile, Gabriella O'Neil raced to a time of 5:12.14 for fourth. Both swimmers were consistent in their pacing, keeping within striking distance of the leaders.

Carlson continued to be a strong asset for the Trojans, finishing second in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 56.12. Despite being out-touched by Arkansas-Fayetteville's, Carlson's performance was commendable, and her speed in the early laps helped keep her in contention for the win. 

Duru Sibik, a junior, had an outstanding performance in the women's 400-yard individual medley (IM), where she claimed the top spot with a time of 4:49.41. Her time was the fastest of the day, as she maintained excellent pacing throughout the race and showcased remarkable endurance. 

The Little Rock A relay team dominated the women's 200-yard freestyle relay, finishing with a  time of 1:33.84. The team, consisting of Lauren Pieniazkiewicz, Cheryl Poulsen, Erma Duratovic, and Jaelle Carlson, delivered strong splits throughout the race, with Carlson anchoring the relay with a blistering 22.61 on her final leg. 

On the diving side, the Little Rock Trojans delivered impressive performances across both boards. Senior Kyra Apodaca led the charge, earning the highest finish for the team with a strong fourth-place showing on the one-meter springboard. The Trojans also saw a standout performance from freshman Delaney Nickles, who showcased her skill and composure to secure a fifth-place finish on the three-meter board. Both divers were instrumental in bolstering the team's overall performance.

---

Up Next
Looking ahead, the Trojans are focused on continued hard work as they set their sights on the upcoming House of Champions Midseason Invitational in Indianapolis. This will mark a key opportunity for the team to compete against their conference rivals for the first time this season, allowing them to gauge their progress and measure themselves against some of the top talent in the region. View the full schedule here.


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
Print Friendly Version