March 8, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -
As the 2007 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships began at the in , , No. 23 Arizona State University showcased an impressive start during the first wave of preliminary rounds, highlighted by an ASU record-breaking performance in the 200 freestyle relay.
The relay consisting of junior Caitlin Andrew, sophomore Jen Beckberger, junior Lindsey Brown and senior Abra Armour completed the event in 1:30.23, placing 11th overall, allowing the relay to return Thursday evening for the event's consolation finals round. The record-breaking time marks the second consecutive meet during which the Sun Devils rewrote the 200 freestyle record, as the relay consisting of Andrew, Beckberger, freshman Jess Perazzo and Armour swam the event in 1:30.84 at the Pac-10 Conference Championships in February. Prior to ASU's historic performance at the Pac-10 Championships, the 200 freestyle relay record stood at 1:31.74, set in 2005.
Also returning for Thursday's consolation finals round is ASU's 400 medley relay, which consists of senior Carissa Abe, freshman Sara McDaniel, Andrew and Beckberger. The group finished the preliminary round in 3:40.10, the third-fastest time in the event in Sun Devil history, which placed ASU 15th overall in the preliminary round.
Caitlin Andrew earned the opportunity to swim in the 50 freestyle consolation finals round, after touching in 22.40 in a swim-off round which placed her 16th overall in the preliminary round. In the 50 freestyle preliminary round, Andrew and Stephanie Napier of the University of Florida both recorded times of 22.64, forcing the swim-off for the right to compete in the event's consolation finals round.
Also competing in the 50 freestyle preliminary round were Armour and Beckberger, where Beckberger finished 40th overall, touching in 23.04, while Armour placed 46th with a time of 23.11.
The finals rounds in the 200 freestyle relay, 500 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 freestyle, one-meter diving and 400 medley relay will be held Thursday evening, where the Sun Devils will look to conclude the first day of NCAA Championship action with individual and relay scoring efforts.
Finals round results and continued coverage of women's swimming and diving at the 2007 NCAA Championships in will be available on TheSunDevils.com