Longhorn Swimmers Win At TCU
FORT WORTH – TCU and Texas’ first Big 12 showdown was highlighted by an impressive win in the men’s 100 free Friday evening at the University Recreation Center Natatorium. The Longhorns men beat the Horned Frogs 133-88 while the UT women prevailed 147-74.
“We competed really well,” TCU head coach Richard Sybesma said. “We competed against one of the top programs in the country. we are where we need to be as we near the end of the season.”
TCU’s performance of the night came from freshman Adam Szilagyi in the men’s 100 back. The Hungarian put the Horned Frogs’ first win of the evening on the board with a dazzling performance in the 100 back, touching the wall first in 49.05. Cooper Robinson came in third in the event in 49.88.
“They both swam well,” Sybesma said. “Cooper has never been under 50 seconds in a dual meet and Adam obviously got a win. In the pool, that was the highlight of the night.”
In the diving well, Ricky Bradley’s 3-meter score of 343.50 moved him into the all-time top-five for the event.
“The divers did great,” diving coach Wayne Chester said. “Ricky has been consistent all year, and he did really well again. We are going to be in good shape for the Big 12 Championships.”
The men’s competition featured many entertaining races. Ford Story and Dax Hill of Texas had a gripping race with Hill edging out Story 57.44-to-57.58. Hill was also
locked in a tight 50 free with TCU’s Devin Price, but UT’s NCAA champion came out on top again 20.83-to-21.00. Thor Stenfjord made a late charge at Sam Lewis and Jake Riter of Texas in the 500 free, but came up just a few yards short, finishing third in 4:34.56. Luiz Azarias also had a good run in the 100 fly, taking second in 50.69.
On the women’s side, Sara Brzozowski and Mikayla Winkler turned in solid performance again in the 500 free. Brzozowski turned in her sixth sub-5:00 500 free of the season in 4:58.56 to finish second and Winkler just missed the sub-5:00 barrier by finishing third in 5:00.40.
In the diving well, Katie Lybbert posted another solid effort on 3-meter, finishing third with 282.68.
Among the highlights of the evening was the crowd that made their way to the URC Natatorium. The stands were overflowing with purple.
“We had a huge crowd here,” Sybesma noted. “There were fans all around the deck. They were awesome tonight.”
Prior to the meet the swimming and diving program honored the nine senior student-athletes. The men’s squad competed in their final home meet Friday.
“They have been an extraordinary group,” Sybesma noted. “They have helped us improve as a program each year and we are better because of them. I am going to miss this group.”
The TCU women will return to the URC Natatorium pool Wednesday for a 6 p.m. dual meet against North Texas. The Horned Frogs men’s team will be in competition again on Feb. 27 at the Big 12 Championships in Austin.
