Speedo Performance of the Week: Natalie Hinds’ Clutch Relay Swim Gave Gators Meet Win

Natalie Hinds qualifies third in the 100 freestyle.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

TUCSON – When college dual meets come down to the final event in determining which team can claim the victory, it creates a lot of excitement in the facility, and makes that deciding relay almost as thrilling as one at the NCAA championships.

That was the case Saturday in Auburn, Ala., where Florida and Auburn were battling in a meet to determine bragging rights in the Southeastern Conference – at least until next month’s SEC championships. While the men’s meet was exciting, it was nothing compared to the women’s meet, where Auburn led Florida 142-141 going into the 400-yard freestyle relay. The winner of the relay would win the meet.

The two teams were neck and neck after the leadoff swimmers touched. Then Florida’s Natalie Hinds put together a 47.64 on the second leg to give Florida a cushion of 1.3 seconds. Auburn fought back on the third and fourth legs, but it’s undeniable that Hinds’ incredible split helped Florida win the relay over Auburn by 21 hundredths of a second, and take the meet victory.

Hinds’ flat-start lifetime best in the 100-yard freestyle is 47.40 from last year’s NCAA championships, where she placed fourth overall. Hinds has been having a spectacular junior season, putting up some great relay performances for the Gators and posting a 47.98 at the Georgia Invite for the seventh-fastest time in the collegiate rankings so far this season.

Things are certainly looking up for Natalie Hinds as she gets ready for the championship phase of the season, and for her stunning relay performance last weekend, she wins the Speedo Performance of the Week.

Natalie Hinds Photo Gallery

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x