2021 Big 12 Swimming & Diving Championships: Texas Cruises in Thursday Prelims

Evie Pfeifer; Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The second day of prelims from the 2021 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships from Austin continued with the heats of the 500 free, 200 IM and 50 free as the Texas Longhorns are well on their way to another conference title.

The Longhorns were on cruise control in the prelims as many of the swimmers are saving their best for the NCAA championships in three and four weeks. Evie Pfeifer is on top of the 500 free heats field with a 4:41.91 this morning as her seed was a 4:35 and she should be close to that in finals if she is on. Kelly Pash, who is a big reason why this Texas women’s team is so vastly improved, is the top seed in the 200 IM at 1:57.43 as she is ahead of Kansas’ Kate Seward (1:58.70), who was last year’s conference champ in the 100 breaststroke.

Bridget Semenuk is leading the 50 free qualifiers at 22.44 ahead of Grace Cooper (22.61).

On the men’s side, John Thomas Larson is leading an all-Texas 500 free final at 4:15.46 as the group was certainly put on notice after two men went under 4:07 at SECs last night. Drew Kibler, who had the nation’s top time before last night, will be in lane eight after a comfortable 4:19 in prelims.

The Foster brothers will occupy the middle lanes in the 200 IM with Jake swimming a 1:43.12 in prelims and Carson one hundredth back at 1:43.13, while Chris Staka is third at 1:43.91.

Daniel Krueger, one of the nation’s top sprinters, was a 19.33 in the prelims of the 50 free ahead of teammate Luke Bowman (19.74).

The 400 medley relay will be contested tonight as the Longhorns have national championship potential in both women’s and men’s races.

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