NCAA Division I Women’s Championships: Allison Schmitt Defends Title; Georgia Crushes Point Total

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AUSTIN, Texas, March 18. GEORGIA's Allison Schmitt defended her women's 200-yard freestyle title, and improved on her lifetime best, at the NCAA Division I Women's Championships.

Schmitt threw down a thrilling time of 1:42.08 to move to third all time in the event. Only Dana Vollmer (1:41.53) and Natalie Coughlin (1:41.66) have been faster. Overall, Schmitt's time stands fifth on the all time performances list as Vollmer (1:42.00, 1:42.01) holds three of the top four times in the event's history. The win gave Georgia its fourth 200 free title in NCAA history with Maritza Correia (2000) and Kara Lynn Joyce (2006) also owning wins. It was the second individual title of the meet for Schmitt, as she captured the 500 free on night one.

"Every time I race, I just try to keep up with everyone," Schmitt said. "So, I just took it out and tried to hold on. It was very helpful having [my teammates] out there, and it was a huge boost for us, having five in the top 16."

Virginia's Lauren Perdue pushed Schmitt to the limit with a runner-up time of 1:42.51 to move to fifth all time. Her effort now stands eighth all time. Georgia's Morgan Scroggy placed third in 1:42.56 – the ninth fastest ever, but has been faster with a 1:42.46 set at SECs in February. Texas's Karlee Bispo finished fourth with a 1:42.81 – tying for 14th-fastest all time in the performances list.

California's Sara Isakovic (1:43.63), Stanford's Kate Dwelley (1:44.16), Georgia's Megan Romano (1:44.30) and Florida's Shara Stafford (1:45.65) also vied for the NCAA title.

Tennessee's Lindsay Gendron topped the B final in 1:43.75. Arizona's Alyssa Anderson (1:44.28), Georgia's Shannon Vreeland (1:44.35), Indiana's Brittany Strumbel (1:44.58), Ohio State's Samantha Cheverton (1:44.97), Georgia's Chelsea Nauta (1:45.05), Indiana's Margaux Farrell (1:45.05) and Florida's Jamie Bohunicky (1:45.66) also swam in the B final.

California remained in the lead with 222 points, but Georgia made a huge move up to second with 213.5 points. USC (200), Stanford (158) and Arizona (132) held third through fifth after the event.

Top 10 Average Scoring Running Projections Heading Into 800 Free Relay*:
California (256.125), Georgia (239.375), USC (229.5), Stanford (172.25), Arizona (151.375), Texas (151.25), Auburn (127.625), Minnesota (121.125), Wisconsin (119.5), Florida (119.375)

* 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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