Flash! Georgia Snaps American, NCAA Mark in 200 Free Relay as Women’s NCAA Championships Get Underway

LAFAYETTE, Indiana, March 17. THE Georgia Bulldogs wasted no time in making a statement this morning, as the prelims of the first day of competition of the women's NCAA Division 1 Championships got underway here at Purdue University.

In the very first event — the 200-yard freestyle relay — the Dawgs bit their teeth into the three year-old NCAA and American record of 1:28.74 set by another Georgia quartet, and doggedly refused to let go.

The team of Kara Lynn Joyce (22.20), Paige Kearns (21.93), Andrea Georoff (22.10) and Amanda Weir (22.13) cruised to a 1:28.36 clocking, slashing the old mark by almost three-tenths of a second. Joyce's 22.20 was the fastest lead-off split of the morning, while Kearns' 21.93 was the fastest relay split.

What makes the time even more impressive is that Georgia appeared to be holding back. Look for a sub-1:28 this evening, as Coach Jack Bauerle's squad hopes to take the first step in unseating the triple-defending champion Auburn Tigers. It won't be easy, as Auburn nipped Georgia a few weeks ago at the SEC Championships and the proud Tigers are always ready to rumble.

Those same Tigers were second in the 200-yard freestyle relay this morning in 1:29.70, followed by the Arizona Wildcats at 1:29.80.

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