ATLANTA – North Texas swim and dive wrapped a historic Conference USA Championship on Saturday. The Mean Green finished third as a team with 522 points, the highest placing since the program entered C-USA.
Head coach Brittany Roth was named the Co-Coach of the Year for the program's best year under her leadership. She shares the honor with Rice's Seth Huston.
"These student-athletes made what was once a dream a reality," head coach Brittany Roth said. "For the first time ever, every student-athlete contributed to our team's point total, I am most proud to show this was a total team effort. We had great performances all weekend, and these girls fought together event by event."
In the final day of competition North Texas started off with a strong showing in the 200 backstroke. Sophomre Robyn Lee finished 6th in 1:59.75. Sophomore Addy de Tassanyi finished 10th in 2:02.57 with junior Jowita Sienczyk behind her in 11th (2:03.23). Senior Natlaia Kwiatkowska finished 16th in 2:07.37
The Mean Green found the podium in the 100 freestyle with sophomore Leigh Faires McGee coming 3rd in 49.73, a new school record. Senior Emmabeth Jensen came 11th (51.08) while freshman Byanna Vasquez came 14th with a time of 51.47.
In the 200 breaststroke freshman Brooke Beddingfield led the way in 8th place with a time of 2:20.13 in the A-final. Seniors Meaghan and Kathleen Rousset came 9th (2:19.48) and 11th (2:20.69) respectively in the B-Final. Sophomore Ula Michalczyk rounded out the placing for the Mean Green in 15th with a time of 2:22.99.
In the 200 fly, Stanley came 11th in 2:03.68. Freshmen Alvena Walpole and Brianna Hanley came 14th (2:06.43) and 16th (2:09.15) respectively. The final swim event of the meet saw a 4th place finish in the 400 free relay with a team of McGee, Vasquez, Walpole and Jensen turning in a time of 3:25.79.
North Texas divers competed in platform diving, Freshman Altaira Wallquist led the way with a personal best dive of 195.60 to come 10th. Sophomore Meaghan Miller was right behind her with a dive of 190.10 while senior Averie Ruiz also turned in a personal best to come 12th with a score of 184.15.
"I'm very proud of each of them" diving coach Mark Murdock said. "They performed well under pressure and fought hard every day for the team. Altaria had a great day and first conference meet. She performed well all week."
In all, North Texas set six new school records while also having two national qualifiers.
"Our freshmen came in ready to fight," Roth said. "Our seniors have had a huge role in transforming this team and setting the standard. It's exciting to think of the impact this season will have on this program in the foreseeable future. It's a great day to be part of the Mean Green family."