DENTON – For the first time in the history of North Texas swimming and diving, the program will be represented at the USA Winter Nationals at the McAuley Aquatic Center on the campus of Georgia Tech.

Mean Green juniors Sarah Vaisse and Claudia Kitching, sophomore Emmabeth Jensen and freshman Jowita Sienczyk will swim for North Texas at the meet.

“It's exciting to take our qualifying athletes to compete in Atlanta at Winter Nationals,” North Texas interim head coach Brittany Roth said. “Our athletes work hard, and this meet is an example of their work. It is not easy to qualify for this meet, but to have a strong representation with Claudia, Jowita, Emmabeth and Sarah is a highlight in the journey of our season.”

Sienczyk (Poland) and Jensen (New Zealand) each qualified for their respective events prior to arriving in Denton. Kitching and Vaisse, both from France, qualified for the breaststroke event with times from last season.

On Thursday, Sienczyk will compete in the 200-yard individual medley, while Jensen will swim the 50-yard freestyle.

Jensen (100-yard butterfly), Vaisse (100-yard breaststroke) and Kitching (100-yard breaststroke) are scheduled to compete on Friday. Vaisse broke North Texas’ 100-yard breaststroke record at the Phill Hansel Invite on Nov. 19, clocking a time of 1:01.38.

Jensen (100–yard freestyle) and Kitching (200-yard breaststroke) will swim on Saturday, the final day of Winter Nationals. Jensen will swim the 100-yard freestyle for the first time since breaking the North Texas record at the Phill Hansel Invite on Nov. 20.

All events are short-course yards and prelims will begin at 9 a.m. each day followed by a 5 p.m. final. Saturday’s finals will begin at 4:30 p.m.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our athletes to compete on the National stage with some of the best athletes in our country,” Roth added. "I'm excited to have this meet on our calendar, and I'm looking forward to seeing our team race.”