By Zac Dalby, SDA Media Relations
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The opening day of the 2015 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships has come to a close from Greensboro, N.C., with the Arizona State women's swim and dive team using day one to get rid of the jitters and get set for some big racing on Friday.
Senior Juanita Barreto led the way for the Sun Devils as she swam a lifetime best in the 50 free with a time of 22.93, while also helping the Devils in the 200-free relay place 25thoverall with a total time of 1:29.93. The relay time was barely off the mark of history, as it finished just short of the school record.
“Juanita led the way,” said assistant coach Dan Kesler. “She swam a lifetime-best time in the relay, eclipsing the time she set at Pac-12 Championships earlier this month, helping the relay lower its seed time.”
As for the relay team, Kesler was left impressed. “It’s a great sign to come on our sprint relays as the meet moves forward,” he said.
Sophomore Kat Simonovic posted a time of 4:51.62 in the 500 yard free, and fellow sophomore Ingi Jonsdottir narrowly missed her personal-best time in the 50-yard free, finishing with a time of 23.07.
“Kat and Ingi had solid showings in the 500 and 50, respectively, but were short of having second swims,” Kesler continued. “We are extremely excited about tomorrow. It’s the best day for our team.”
Off the diving board, freshman Mara Aiacoboae got her first NCAA Championships experience as she diving on the 1-meter springboard. Competing in a deep field, she earned 39th place with her signature event, the platform, still waiting.
Aiacoboae and senior Hailey Casper will compete in the 3-meter event tomorrow. Casper placed first in this event at the 2015 Zone E NCAA qualifying meet.
Tomorrow, the Devils will have a busy day, with Simonovic competing in the 200 free, Jonsdottir in the 100 back, as well as both the 800-freestyle relay and 200-medley relays.