Women Complete NCAA Competition

By Andria Alvarez for WVUsports.com
March 17, 2012 03:15 PM

Mandie Nugent

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.– Four from the women’s swimming team completed competition at the NCAA Championships, finishing 26th overall with 20 points, this evening in Auburn, Ala.

"We came with a goal of getting second swims and they did that," says coach Vic Riggs. "They swam with courage, strength and determination and I'm really proud of their efforts and a 26th finish."

Rachael Burnett began the night with an 11th place finish in the 1,650 free, setting a new team record with her time of 16:06.61. Her swim also earned her a second individual honorable mention All-America status. Stephanie Peaco of the University of North Carolina won the event, seething a new NCAA record in 15:38.79.

"Rachael had a huge swim in her heat of the mile to get our night started and ended up with an 11th place finish and a team record," says Riggs.

Mandie Nugent won the consolation finals of the 200 fly, finishing ninth overall in 1:55.17. Her swim earned her honorable mention All-America status. Nugent was seeded tenth after prelims. Southern California's Katinka Hosszu finished first with a new pool record in 1:51.32.

"Mandie finished with a win in the consolations with her second fastest time," says Riggs. "Swimming on a second taper and less than a week from trials she did great."

Also competing today was Danielle Smith in the 200 back. She finished 49th overall with a time of 2:01.24.

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