COLLEGE STATION, Texas, March 19. SHORTLY after clocking the fastest 50-yard free time in history, Arizona's Lara Jackson returned with a swift time to defend her national title in the splash-and-dash.
Jackson clocked a scorching time of 21.40 to win the crown for the second time. The double victory put her into special territory with Georgia's Kara Lynn Joyce (4), Texas' Leigh Ann Fetter (4), Stanford's Catherine Fox (3), Georgia Maritza Correira (2), Stanford's Jenna Johnson (2) and Stanford's Jenny Thompson (2) are the only other repeat winners of the 50 free.
The win also gave Arizona its fourth ever, behind Stanford (7), Georgia (7) and Texas (5). Previous winners for Arizona were Diane Johnson (1982), Ashley Tappin (1995) and Jackson last year.
Jackson's time of 21.40, which may have happened with a suit tear, is the fifth-fastest ever. That swim gave Jackson six fastest times ever in the race.
Georgia's Anne-marie Botek finished second in 21.80 to move into a tie with Lacey Nymeyer as the ninth-best swimmers in the event of all time.
Tennessee's Michelle King (21.82), Texas A&M's Triin Aljand (21.93) and California's Madison Kennedy (21.94) all broke the 22 barrier in the deep heat.
Georgia owned a slight lead over Arizona in the team race, 103 to 101.5. California stood third with 92 points while Stanford (75) and Auburn (73.5) were fourth and fifth.
