The Arizona women’s swimming and diving team collected a few top-three finishes before taking eighth place overall in the NCAA Championships, which were held last week at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
Led by All-Americans senior Margo Geer and sophomore Bonnie Brandon, the Wildcats amassed 156 points at the competition, which was won by Georgia for the second straight year.
Geer made a statement during prelims for the 100-yard freestyle. The senior surged across the water to touch the wall in 47 seconds flat, making her the third-fastest woman ever in the event.
During the final, Geer finished first with a time of 47.10, holding off Olympic medalists Lia Neal and Missy Franklin to defend her national title in the event. Geer also took third in the 50y freestyle.
Despite missing multiple events due to illness, sophomore Bonnie Brandon grinded her way to a fifth place finish in the 500y freestyle with a time of 4:36.91. Brandon also swam in several relay events.
The Wildcats’ best relay of the meet came on the last night of competition. They took second in the 400y freestyle relay with the team of Geer, Brandon, senior Alana Pazevic and senior Grace Finnegan touching the wall in 3:10.99.
On the opening night of the meet, the team of Geer, Pazevic, Finnegan and senior Taylor Schick raced to a seventh-place finish in the 200y freestyle relay, clocking in at 1:28.11.
Finishing in 15:56.38, freshman Tjasa Oder endured the 1650y freestyle to earn sixth place along with her first All-American nod. Her time was the second fastest in school history in the event.
Arizona also had some strong performances in “B” group races.
On Thursday night, the team of Brandon, Geer, sophomore Emma Schoettmer and senior Ashley Evans took second in the “B” final of the 400y medley relay. The next night saw Arizona finish third in the “B” final of the 200y medley relay, with Pazevic, Schoettmer, Evans and Geer touching in 1:37.39. During the final night of competition, Schoettmer secured a fourth-place finish in the “B” final of the 200y breaststroke.
With the conclusion of the women’s swimming and diving seasons, Wildcat swimming is down to its last meet.
The men’s teams will head to Austin, Texas, on Thursday for the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships.
—Follow Mark Armao @MarkArmao
