Women's Swimmers Finish 12th at NCAAs
March 22, 2003 | Women's Swimming & Diving
The Wisconsin women's swimmers closed the 2003 NCAA Championships Saturday in 12th-place with 123 points, five points shy of 11th. The Badgers were the top Big Ten Conference finisher, edging out Michigan (14th) and 2003 Big Ten champion Indiana (16th). It is UW's best finish since taking 11th in 2000 and second best finish all-time. Auburn swam away with its second straight national title, tabulating 536 points over second-place Georgia (373).
'I'm extremely proud of the team and how they rallied to finish the meet,' coach Eric Hansen said. 'To finish as the top Big Ten team nationally is something we can really hang our hats on.'
Wisconsin, which opened the third day of action in 11th-place, maintained that position through the first four events Saturday. Wisconsin scored in two out of the first three events.
Sophomore Carly Piper kicked off the last day of action with a sixth-place finish in the 1,650 freestyle (16:05.18). With the top-eight finish, Piper earned her first All-American honors in the event. Last year, Piper finished 12th in the mile, garnering honor mention All-America status.
Piper's All-American finish in the 1,650 Saturday was her second individual All-American placement at the 2003 championships and third of her UW career.
Senior Sarah McCauley, who won a swim-off in morning prelims to advance to the 100 free consolation finals, improved on her seeding to finish 12th in the event. McCauley, the school record holder in the 100 free, placed fourth (49.62) in the consolation heat to earn honorable mention All-America honors. It is her second top-16 finish in an individual event at this year's meet.
The Badgers moved down to 12th with two events remaining. Entering the meet's final event, the 400 free relay, UW sat in 13th behind Virginia, UCLA and Arizona State.
Senior Jenny Lyman led off the relay and freshman Sarah Hernandez followed. Piper and McCauley closed out the relay and the meet, touching in fifth at 3:18.65. The Badgers edged Virginia and moved up one last spot to finish in the 13th position.
'I'm proud of our seniors and their leadership, ' Hansen said. 'They can leave knowing that this program is in a good place now and in the future.'
