NCAA Division I Women’s Championships: Liv Jensen Anchors American, NCAA, U.S. Open Record for California

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AUSTIN, Texas, March 18. CALIFORNIA rocketed to an American, U.S. Open and NCAA record in the women's 200 medley relay as Liv Jensen dropped a devastating anchor leg at the 2011 NCAA Division I Women's Championships.

California's foursome of Cindy Tran (24.22), Caitlin Leverenz (26.82), Colleen Fotsch (22.88) and Jensen (21.11) posted a top time of 1:35.03 to beat the American, NCAA and U.S. Open record of 1:35.29 set by Arizona of 1:35.29 back in 2008. The win is California's second in the event's history with the previous win coming in short course meter action in 2000 with a 1:49.23 from Haley Cope, Staciana Stitts, Waen Minpraphal and Joscelin Yeo. The victory also gave California its third relay triumph of the meet.

"We've been talking about it all year," Jensen said about the record. "We came really close back in December. I didn't know what was going to happen on the blocks, so there are really no words to describe how this feels. We're really confident with our relays right now. This win is huge for our team, because we're all riding such a high right now. Being able to feed off each other's energy is what helps this team the best. I was thinking, 'Nail my exchange.' The changes can make or break your relay. I know how to do a 50 freestyle with my eyes closed and in my sleep, so I just wanted to have a clean race."

Wisconsin's Maggie Meyer, Ashley Wanland, Rebecka Palm and Beckie Thompson finished runner-up with a 1:35.71, while Southern California's Presley Bard, Kasey Carlson, Lyndsay DePaul and Christel Simms placed third in 1:36.06.

Auburn (1:36.62), Texas A&M (1:36.81), Arizona (1:37.09), Texas (1:37.39) and Arizona State (1:37.56) completed the top eight.

Minnesota's Hannah Whitehead, Jillian Tyler, Kaylee Jamison and Tess Behrens won the B final in 1:37.87, while LSU's team of Jana Ruimerman, Jane Trepp, Amanda Kendall and Samantha Goetes finished 10th overall in 1:38.30. North Carolina (1:38.41), Stanford (1:38.43), Georgia (1:38.73) and Tennessee (1:38.77) place 11th through 14th. Florida (1:38.95) and Kentucky (1:39.14) both drew disqualifications. Florida's disqualification was later overturned after a video review, with Kentucky remaining DQed.

California moved into the team lead with 155 points, while USC held second with 154 points. Georgia (137), Stanford (126) and Arizona (125) made up the top five.

Top 10 Average Scoring Running Projections Heading Into 800 Free Relay*:
California (252.75), Georgia (235.25), USC (226.875), Stanford (174.375), Texas (151), Arizona (149), Florida (129.875), Auburn (129.375), Minnesota (123.75), Wisconsin (119.5),

* Average Scoring Projections based on the average points allotted to an A finalist (14.75) and a B finalist (4.625). Double points for relays.

Swimming World's NCAA Division I Women's Championships Notes Package Sponsored by NISCA

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