TCU
New Mexico (women)
H20 Women Claim Big Road Win at New Mexico
1/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
Jan. 23, 2009
FORT WORTH, Texas - Sophomore Maria Paula Alvarez and junior diver Jennifer Ferguson posted two dominating victories to help lead the TCU women's swimming and diving team past New Mexico Friday by a score of 127-106. The Frogs commanded 11 of the 13 events on the day, including the 400-medley and 400-free relays.
"I'm really happy with the way our relays are looking right now," TCU head coach Richard Sybesma said. "To earn a conference win on the road and at altitude is great from our women's program."
Alvarez and Ferguson were named the Mountain West Conference Female Swimmer and Diver of the Week for their performances last week against San Diego State and Centenary College, following with outstanding results Friday against the Lobos.
Ferguson, swept the diving events, posting a TCU career-best 302.17 from the one-meter dive, replacing her previous mark which ranked second-best in TCU history. Her score fell just short of Angela Clark's program record of 306.67 that has stood since 1998. The Beaconsfield, Quebec native also flew to a 303.22 score from the three-meter springboard for her seventh win from the higher board.
Alvarez paced the field in the 200-free, just ahead of junior Stephanie Futscher and freshman Lindsey Stevens, as TCU finished 1-2-3 in the event. Alvarez hit the wall at 1:54.94, registering her third 200-free medal of the year. The Cali, Colombia native also recorded the best time of the day in the 500-free, finishing at 5:09.00 for her team-leading 15th win of the year.
Futscher led the way in the 200-fly at 2:04.96, just ahead of runner-up freshman Jennifer Oster at 2:08.67. Newcomer Ashley Bolin registered her fourth 200-IM of the season at 2:08.62, ahead of senior Cheryl Townsend, who claimed runner-up honors at 2:09.69. Townsend also finished in second in the 200-back, behind sophomore Brittney Martinez. Martinez took the event at 2:05.42, while Townsend turned in her fastest time of the season at 2:07.10.
Freshman Kaitlyn Vann posted an impressive victory in the 1000-free, as the Cumming, Ga., native fought to finish at 10:38.56, just faster than senior Sarah Bardwell at 10:41.45. Sophomore Ellie Bradley picked up her first 200-breast victory of the season, topping fellow Frog Megan Higginbotham, who earned runner-up status.
The Frogs finished strong in the 400-free relay, as freshman Zrinka Korac, Alvarez, Vann and Bolin swam to victory in a time of 3:34.12. TCU also won the 400-medley relay at 3:55.55 with the quartet of Martinez, Bradley, Futscher and Korac.
The women's squad (7-3-1, 4-3-1 MWC) will return to action on Feb. 4, as they travel to North Texas The meet will mark the last competition before the MWC Championships begin on Feb. 25.
Players Mentioned
