{"id":638834,"date":"2026-03-18T11:16:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T18:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=638834"},"modified":"2026-03-18T11:16:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T18:16:43","slug":"ncaa-womens-championships-day-1-prelims-texas-sets-fast-medley-relay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/ncaa-womens-championships-day-1-prelims-texas-sets-fast-medley-relay\/","title":{"rendered":"NCAA Women\u2019s Championships, Day 1 Prelims: Texas Sets Fast Medley Relay"},"content":{"rendered":"

NCAA Women\u2019s Championships, Day 1 Prelims: Texas Sets Fast Medley Relay<\/strong><\/p>\n

The NCAA Women\u2019s Championships kicked off Wednesday morning at Atlanta\u2019s McAuley Aquatic Center with early heats of the opening day\u2019s two relays and the 1,650 freestyle. Fastest heats in all three events will comprise the evening session.<\/p>\n

Kate Hurst,<\/strong> seeded ninth in the 1,650 free, set the fastest time of the morning in 15:53.09. That\u2019s more than three seconds quicker than her seed time. Hurst was 10th last year. In 10th this year is Michaela Mattes<\/strong> of Florida in 15:59.35, the only other morning swimmer to crack 16 minutes.<\/p>\n

That puts a bit of pressure on the back end of the A final at night. Claire Weinstein<\/strong> is the eighth seed in 15:52.28, still quicker than Hurst. Jillian Cox<\/strong> of Texas is the top seed in 15:32.75.<\/p>\n