Swimming defeats Houston, loses to LSU in dual-meet competition
The Rice swim team split a double-dual meet last weekend with the University of Houston and Louisiana State University, defeating UH 202-145 but falling to LSU 196-151. Sophomore Amy Halsey recorded two season-best times, winning the 100-yard backstroke and the 200 individual medley at the meet, held at UH.
“This part of the season is really important heading into the championship,” Halsey said. “It’s really important for us to gain some momentum going into those meets.”
The Owls will host seventh-ranked Southern Methodist University at the Rice Pool today at 5 p.m. to round out their home dual-meet schedule before the Conference USA Championships Feb. 22-25 at UH.
“We’ve been putting in lots of hard training,” sophomore Jennifer Hill said. “Hopefully we’ll step up and make [the SMU meet] a good one.”
Led by sophomore Brittany Massengale, the Owls swept the top four spots in the 500 freestyle last weekend.
“[Our] meet last weekend [was] at the University of Houston, where the conference championships will be, so we got a little preview of the pool and of the situation we will be in,” Massengale said.
Freshman Diane Gu won the 50-yard freestyle at UH, capping a week of solid swimming that garnered her in C-USA swimmer of the week honors.
“[Gu is] definitely a major leader on our team,” Halsey said. “She’s a very reliable swimmer. She races everyone and anyone who gets in the pool.”
Rice posted several wins over the break, finishing second of ten at the UNLV Invitational Dec. 17-19, defeating every team but the University of California-Santa Barbara. Gu won the 100 freestyle in spectacular fashion. Massengale finished first in the mile freestyle and was followed closely by sophomore Carey Hain, who was third, and freshman Caitlin Warner, who finished fourth. The Owls also won the 400-freestyle relay.
Arizona State University edged the Owls 109-96 in the first dual meet of the new year in Tempe, Ariz. Massengale won the 500- and 1,000-yard freestyle races. In the shorter events, Hill and Halsey finished first and second in the 200 IM, Gu won the 100 freestyle and placed second in the 50 freestyle and freshman Carlyann Miller took first in the 200 freestyle. Gu, Miller, Healey and freshman Skylar Craig combined to win the 200 freestyle relay.
But the Owls wasted no time bouncing back, traveling north to Flagstaff, Ariz. where they defeated Northern Arizona University 124-81 Jan. 9. Despite concerns about the 7,000-foot altitude, the Owls managed a victory, getting help from Hill’s wins in the 200 breaststroke and 200 IM, Massengale’s victory in the 400 freestyle and Miller’s first-place finish in the 200 freestyle. Gu also stood out with pool-record wins in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events.
“[We’re] progressively getting a little bit better with every meet,” Hill said. “I think once we’re rested up, … the [championship] is going to be good.”
Other sports stories
- Graham and staff bring attitude, excitement
- Men's basketball 2-1 in C-USA competition
- Men's track prepares for another outdoor run
- Repentant football cynic realizes error of his ways
- Students, fans should respond to new coach
- Women look to win conference title
- Women's basketball falls at Houston, Marshall
News
- $20 million donated to School of Humanities
- 175 students admitted in Early Decision
- Bald started as coordinator Jan. 17
- Biochemistry Professor Gustin named new Wiess College master
- De Lorenzo hired to head Rice scholarships office
- Faculty vote to abolish self-scheduled exams
- Former Israeli Prime Minister Peres speaks on Iran, Palestinian conflict
- Grad student Rozworski remembered at service
- Graham named head football coach
- Halliburton to begin term as RA in fall 2006 semester
- Leebron releases vision statement for Rice's future
- Minority applications for Interim Decision increase
- News In Brief
- Rice to foster involvement in Houston with new center
- Tour, Pasquali named new directors of nanotech lab
Arts & Entertainment
- Holiday films rarely surpass mediocrity
- In-flight movies should entertain, distract from crying babies
- Ligon's 'Changes' confronts political, social, personal conflicts
- Strokes' third album makes dubious First Impression
- Student artists debut revolutionary gallery