NCAA Women’s Division I Championships: Georgia Builds Lead; Cal Fights Back

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, March 22. THE second day of finals is complete at the NCAA Women's Division I Championships at the IU Natatorium at IUPUI. Special thanks to SpeedoUSA for sponsoring our editorial coverage for this meet.

Heading into the night, we projected Georgia to lead the team tally with nearly 300 points, while two-time defending champion California would jump into second and Tennessee would round out the top three.

That's what happened as Georgia finished with 300 points, while California stood second with 285 points. Tennessee owns third with 263.5 points, while Arizona (246) and Texas A&M (216) rounded out the top five.

NCAA Women's Division I Championships: Day Two Finals Live Coverage

We are LIVE from the second day of prelims at the NCAA Women's Division I Championships at the IU Natatorium at IUPUI. Special thanks to SpeedoUSA for sponsoring our editorial coverage for this meet.

Storified by SwimmingWorld· Fri, Mar 22 2013 18:47:43

WOMEN'S 800 FREE RELAY

Georgia didn't have its NCAA and American record speed froma month ago when the Bulldogs set the record with a 6:52.64.  But, Shannon Vreeland (1:44.13), Megan Romano(1:43.00), Brittany MacLean (1:44.27) and Allison Schmitt (1:43.03) had morethan enough to capture the title with a 6:54.43.  That gave UGA a fourpeat in the event, havingwon previously in 2010, 11 and 12. Georgia now has seven 800 free relay wins in school history, second onlyto Stanford.  Other Bulldog victoriesoccurred in 2001, 2005 and 2006. 

 

Arizona's Bonnie Brandon (1:44.79), Margo Geer (1:43.01),Grace Finnegan (1:45.40) and Monica Drake (1:44.06) took second with a swift6:57.26 out of the second of the three timed final heats.  California's Rachael Acker (1:45.54),Caroline Piehl (1:45.41), Catherine Breed (1:44.33) and Elizabeth Pelton(1:42.16) stayed within striking distance of Georgia for the team title with athird-place 6:57.44.

 

Stanford (6:59.16), Texas A&M (7:02.03), SouthernCalifornia (7:02.49), Florida (7:02.54) and Minnesota (7:02.77) grabbed therest of the top eight podium spots in the timed final event.

 

Georgia finished the day with a clean 300 points for theteam lead. California stood second with 285 points, just 15 points behind.  Tennessee held onto third with 263.5 pointsafter capturing its third relay of the meet to start the night. Arizona (246)and Texas A&M (216) were the only other teams to clear 200 points to standfourth and fifth heading into the final day of competition. 

UGA, Arizona, Cal 1-2-3 in 800 free relay #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
GEORGIA wins 800 free relay in sizzling 6:54.43. Cal second in 6:57.44 #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
Arizona Wildcats storm to ht2 win in 800 free relay 6:57.26 #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
Fear The Spear as FSU wins ht 1 in 7:09.94 800 free relay #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld

WOMEN'S THREE-METER DIVING

Purdue's Casey Matthews used some final dive magic tocapture the three-meter diving title with 386.55 points.  That's Purdue's first title in thethree-meter event, and represents the 20th different school to winthe three-meter diving title since its inception in 1982. 

 

Arizona State's Hailey Casper looked dominant throughoutmuch of the round, but fell to second after Matthews turned in several 9s onher last dive.  Casper tallied 377.70points in the springboard event.  EasternMichigan's Kelly Hendricks placed third with 356.05 points.

 

Purdue's Michelle Cabassol (350.45), Tennessee's JodieMcGroarty (344.45), Minnesota's Margaret Keefer (331.40), Tennessee's VictoriaLamp (321.55) and Miami's Lindsay Lester (320.45) also dove during thechampionship finale.

 

Heading into the 800 free relay tonight, Georgia ledCalifornia by seven points, 260-253, after Laura Ryan placed 13thfor the Bulldogs with 329.05 points. Tennessee moved into shooting distance with a third-place tally of245.5, while Arizona owned fourth with 212 points.  Texas A&M held firm at fifth with 188points. 

Final dive magic captures 3M title for Purdue's Casey Matthews #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
And @Case_Masta with the win!! Boiler Up!! Hammer down!! #NCAA2013Julia Comodeca

WOMEN'S 100 BACK

Olympian Rachel Bootsma put on an underwater clinic en routeto the second-fastest time ever in the 100-yard backstroke.  She dropped a 24.48 at the 50, before cominghome in 25.65 to take the title in 50.13. Only former Golden Bear Natalie Coughlin has been faster with herlegendary 49.97 from the 2002 NCAA Championships. 

 

Bootsma cut nearly half-a-second from her personal best timeof 50.54 from November, and jumped from fourth all-time in the event.  That's California's eighth 100 back title,keeping the crown in Golden Bear hands for the third straight year followingback-to-back wins from Cindy Tran in 2011 and 2012.  Other California wins came by way of MarylynChiang (1999) and Coughlin (2001, 02, 03, 04).

 

Florida's Sinead Russell turned in a strong second-placetime of 51.46 to move into a 13th-ranked tie with Rachel Goh in theall-time performer charts.  Indiana'sBrooklyn Snodgrass raced to third in 51.52, reminiscent of the likes of formerHoosiers Leila Vaziri and Kate Zubkova.  Snodgrassis now 16th all time.

 

Stanford's Felicia Lee (51.58), Tran (51.92), Texas A&M'sPaige Miller (51.93), Missouri's Dominique Bouchard (52.23) and Texas A&M'sTess Simpson (52.60) took fourth through eighth, while Virginia's CourtneyBartholomew smoked the B final in 51.63.

 

California had a huge event, with a two up and two downperformance that included Hoi Shun Au (51.88) and Melanie Klaren (52.12) taking12th and 13th overall, as the Golden Bears pulled towithin three points of Georgia, 256-253. Tennessee stood third with 219.5 points, while Arizona (205) and TexasA&M (188) held fourth and fifth heading into diving. 

Rachel Bootsma crushes 100 back with a 50.13!!!!!!! 2nd fastest ever #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
@NatalieCoughlin still only 49-point! #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
Bartholomew races to 100 back B final win in 51.63 #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
Just watched @courtneycb23 swimsupah fast!!! #100bk #gohoos ✌Kaitlyn Jones

WOMEN'S 100 BREAST

With Southern California's Kasey Carlson pushing her theentire way as the two split 27.17s at the 50, Texas A&M's Breeja Larsondefended her title in the event with a scorching 57.63.  She posted a 30.46 coming home for thethird-fastest time ever.  That swim brokeher meet record of 57.71 from her win in 2012, and now gives Larson the topfour times ever.  She's the first todefend the title since back-to-back wins from Jessica Hardy and Rebecca Soni in2006-07 and 2008-09, and becomes just the eight swimmer with more than one winin the event.

 

Carlson used her tremendous first 50 to wind up with asecond-place time of 58.36.  That swimclipped her lifetime best of 58.46 from 2011, and jumped her to eighth all timein the event's history.  The thirdfastest time of finals came in the consolation heat as Tennessee's Molly Hannisposted a 58.84 to take ninth overall, while Columbia's Katie Meili wound upthird with a 59.14. 

 

Arkansas' Nicole Daniels touched fourth in 59.18, while NotreDame's Emma Reaney earned fifth in 59.19. Texas' Laura Sogar (59.25), Arizona's Ellyn Baumgardner (59.37) andArizona's Chelsey Salli (59.79) also competed in the A final.

 

Georgia still held the lead with 256 points, while Tennesseeadded to its second-place tally with 219.5 points. California (210), Arizona(196) and Southern California (168) stood third, fourth and fifth heading intothe 100 back. 

BREEJA Larson with a 57.63 to win the 100 breast! Meet record! Carlson 2nd 58.36 #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
No surprises in that breast!! Awesome! via @CoachBrackinSwimmingWorld
Now That GirL is ON FIRE!! Breeja Larson with a 57.63 to win NCAA 100BST title AND meet record. Congrats! via @ErinQuinn11SwimmingWorld
Carlson, Larson UNDER AMERICAN record pace with 27.17s #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
Hannis wins B final in 100 breast in 58.84. #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
Never thought I see the day a 58 would win the consols of 100 breast #wNCAAswimKristy Kowal

WOMEN'S 200 FREE

Olympic gold medalist Allison Schmitt held off a gameElizabeth Pelton of California for her sixth individual NCAA title with a1:41.85.  That's the fifth-fastest timeever, improving on Schmitt's previous lifetime best of 1:41.90.  She still has a bit more to go to jump aheadof Missy Franklin's sizzling time of 1:41.81 from last week to move into fourthall time. 

 

The win gave Schmitt her third in the event, adding with her2010 and 2011 wins after an Olympic redshirt hiatus last year.  Only Nicole Haislett (4) and MartinaMoravcova (4) have won more 200 free titles. Georgia now has six triumphs in the event's history.  Along with Schmitt's three, and Megan Romano'swin last year, Kara Lynn Joyce (2006) and Maritza Correia (2000) are alsoformer Bulldog victors.

 

Pelton nearly caught Schmitt down the stretch, clocking 25sin the final two splits, posting a second-place time of 1:42.13.  That swim is the 10th fastestperformance ever, pushing Pelton to sixth on the all-time performers charts.

 

Defending champion Romano raced to third in 1:42.64, whileteammate Shannon Vreeland claimed fourth in 1:42.67 as the Bulldogs put up hugeteam points in the event.

 

Tennessee's Lindsay Gendron (1:43.77), Texas A&M'sLiliana Ibanez Lopez (1:44.66), California's Carolina Piehl (1:45.14) andStanford's Andrea Murez (1:45.25) also vied for the national title in thefinale.

 

Georgia built more than a 50-point lead with its impressive200 free, tallying 256 points. Tennessee remained second with 210.5points.  California moved up to thirdwith 210 points, while Arizona (173) and Southern California (151) held fourthand fifth.   

1-2 finish in 200 free @arschmitty @eliZAbethP_1126 #NBACatNCAAsBob Bowman
Allison Schmitt blasts 1:41.85 to hold off Pelton in 200 free. UGA 1-3-4 #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
@FranklinMissy w/ another mythical NCAA win, her 1:41.81 frm last wk wld have won #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
Acker tops Perdue 1:44.33 TO 1:44.41 for 200 free B final win #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld

WOMEN'S 100 FLY

In the closest finish in NCAA history in the 100 fly, Auburn'sOlivia Scott raced to a 51.64 for the win. She touched out nearly a straight-line field at the wall with California'sRachel Bootsma finishing just .04 seconds behind in 51.68.  That margin of victory is slimmer than therecord California's Amanda Sims held with a 51.28 to 51.34 defeat of Stanford'sElaine Breeden in 2009.

 

That's only the second 100 fly victory in Auburn's historyas Scott joined Mimi Bowen as Tiger victors in the event.  Bowen prevailed back in 1997 with a 52.05before Misty Hyman revolutionized the stroke with a 51.34 to win the followingyear. 

 

Florida's Ellese Zalewski (51.69) and Louisville's KelsiWorrell (51.80) also broke 52 seconds in the finale, while UNC's Katie Nolan(52.02), Arizona's Megan Lafferty (52.05), UCLA's Ting Quad (52.09) andVirginia Tech's (52.14) all finished within a half-a-second of the winner asthe entire heat had a shot at the title heading into the final few yards.

 

With Kelsey Floyd's 11th-place finish of 52.05,third in the consolation behind Kendyl Stewart and Natalie Hinds tying 51.89s,Tennessee moved in front with 196.5 points. Georgia held second with 195 points, while Arizona (173), California(169) and Southern California (151) making up the top five.  That is about to change, however, with Georgiaheading into a three up, three down situation in the 200-yard free. 

WAR EAGLE Olivia Scott wins ridiculously close final 51.64 #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
NCAA champion!!!! #auburnswimming Olivia Scott 100 fly!!! WDE!!! <a href="http://t.co/d0eHaveb8z" class="">instagram.com/p/XLcrodr56g/</a>Brett Hawke
Closest finish NCAA history in 100 fly, Sims beat Breeden by .06 in 2009 @rowdygaines #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
Is @RowdyGaines gonna say War Eagle??? I will! War Eagle – way to go Olivia & @AuburnSwimming via @CoachBrackinSwimmingWorld
Hinds Stewart tie for B final win in 100 fly 51.89 #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld

WOMEN'S 400 IM

Even with Texas A&M's Cammile Adams pushing the paceearly, Florida's Elizabeth Beisel demonstrated her 400 IM pedigree with avictorious time of 4:00.49 split 55.34, 59.48, 1:09.92 and 55.75.  The time stands 13th all time inthe event's history.

 

That's Florida's seventh victory all time in the 400 IM,tying the Gators with Stanford for the most 400 IM titles by a singleprogram.  Previous winners include TracyCaulkins (1982, 1983, 1984), Mary Wayte (1985), Julie Gorman (1988) and AllisonWagner (1995) with the last win coming more than a decade ago.

 

The finale did not have the same speed as last year thatincluded several sub-4:00 times including Katinka Hosszu (3:56.54) and CaitlinLeverenz (3:57.89) with NCAA and American records, respectively.  However, Beisel was still all smiles on thepodium after the triumph.

 

Stanford's Maya DiRado kept pace with Beisel through thebreaststroke leg, but did not have enough freestyle speed as she wound uptaking second overall with a 4:01.02. Leverenz faded to third with a 4:02.98 even with a 1:06.85 breaststrokesplit.

 

Adams finished fourth in 4:03.74 after being out in 54.71 inthe fly leg, while USC's Stina Gardell took fifth in 4:04.66.  Texas A&M's Sarah Henry (4:04.75),Georgia's Melanie Margalis (4:05.36) and UNC's Carolyn Blalock (4:07.58) turnedin the rest of the A final finishes. 

 

Georgia jumped back into the lead with 195 points, while Tennesseestood second with 190.5 points. Arizona (159), California (152) and SouthernCalifornia (143) comprised the rest of the top five. 

It's BEISEL!!!!! 4:00.49 DiRado 4:01.02 Leverenz 4:02.98 #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
Go E. Beisel! Always a #Champion! RT @GatorZoneSwimDv Here's your 400 IM NCAA Champion Elizabeth Beisel #Gators <a href="http://t.co/oiyW9gy3ek" class="">pic.twitter.com/oiyW9gy3ek</a>Erin Quinn
Congrats to my girl @ebeisel34 on her latest national championship!Matt McLean
@ebeisel34 congrats on ur win!!! Go Gators!!Dara Torres
Great racing – always fun to see @ebeisel34 win. Glad she proved me wrong! Excited to see her head 2 head w Pelton! via @CoachBrackinSwimmingWorld
Camille the flier taking it out! Love the outside speed! via @CoachBrackinSwimmingWorld
USC's Megan Hawthorne wins B final 400 IM in 4:06.03 with strong backhalf #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld

WOMEN'S 200 MEDLEY RELAY

The Lady Volunteers did it AGAIN as the foursome of LaurenSolernou (24.40), Molly Hannis (26.15), Kelsey Floyd (22.92) and Faith Johnson(21.48) smoked the field with a winning time of 1:34.95.  That gave UT a relay sweep thus far, havingalready won the 200 free and 400 medley relays on the first night ofcompetition.  Not bad, considering UT hadzero relay victories in the history of the program coming into the meet.  

Floyd has definitely been the MVP of the meetthus far for the Big Orange, putting up key relay legs in all three of the team'swins. She turned in a 21.48 anchor leg to close out Tennessee's 200 free relay victory, before clocking a 50.98 fly leg in the 400 medley relay to help with the night-one relay sweep.

 

California, the two-time defending champions, finishedsecond in 1:35.53, even though Rachel Bootsma beat the rest of the backstrokefield by more than a second with a 23.40 leadoff.  Caitlin Leverenz (26.97), Cindy Tran (23.15)and Kaylin Bing (22.01) provided the other three legs.

 

The Arizona Wildcats clinched third-place honors as LaurenSmart (24.57), Ellyn Baumgardner (26.53), Megan Lafferty (23.29) and Margo Geer(21.20) clocked a 1:35.69.  Floridafinished just outside of the top three, taking fourth in 1:36.06. 

 

Texas A&M (1:36.08), Southern California (1:36.17),Stanford (1:37.17) and Auburn (1:37.17) also competed in the championship finale.  Notably, Wisconsin won the B final with a1:37.26. 

 

Tennessee jumped into the team lead with 190.5 points, whileGeorgia fell to second with 169 after taking 14th in the 200 medleyrelay tonight. Arizona (159), California (136) and Southern California (116)rounded out the top five after the first event of the evening. 

The Tennessee Vols have taken over first place at NCAA's! #govols #speedkillz #ncaa2013 <a href="http://t.co/0GrQ2EGeAd" class="">instagram.com/p/XLY3msJ1Jp/</a>Tyler Fenwick
Tennessee does it AGAIN!!!! 1:34.95!!!!!!!!!! #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
And the TN train keeps rolling! @mkredich so happy for you! via @CoachBrackinSwimmingWorld
Kelsey Floyd is RELAY MVP this meet. 22.92 fly leg! #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld
Rowdy Gaines could get me excited for literally anything. Him and Ray Hudson need to team up sometime. #NCAA2013rebecca
Wisconsin holds off Texas 1:37.26 to 1:37.58 for B final win! #NCAA2013 #WNCAASWIM @SpeedoUSA <a href="http://t.co/NGLUgiAuUq" class="">bit.ly/YKZhPf</a>SwimmingWorld

Kim Brackin's Fun Facts!

While everyone is waiting for day to finals to kick off, here's a few fun facts from Kim Brackin!
Fun Fact: Many teams get treated w pedis. Spoiling them or getting rid of dead skin?? <a href="http://t.co/8JGDxuRiLd" class="">pic.twitter.com/8JGDxuRiLd</a> via @CoachBrackinSwimmingWorld
Did you know: volunteer timers have contests to see who was most accurate! Winner gets random team donated gear! via @CoachBrackinSwimmingWorld
Fun fact: top 12 teams pick their seating on deck based off last years placing- Cal picked 1st etc. PrimeSpot! via @CoachBrackinSwimmingWorld

LIVE RESULTS

Meet Results: 2013 Div. 1 Women's Swimming & Diving Champs

LIVE STREAM

Watch Live Sports Events and ESPN Programs Online and on …Click on the button below to log out of your Comcast account: Logout … GET ACCESS ? XBox Live; FEEDBACK; REMOTE ACCESS; WATCH NOW ? …
much better view on @ESPN3! via @CoachBrackinSwimmingWorld

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