Longhorns Outlast Aggies in Lone Star Showdown, 166-134

On the strength of workmanlike performances by swimmers Leah Gingrich and Kathleen Hersey and diver Lauren Caldwell, the University of Texas women earned a hard-fought win over rival Texas A&M at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on Friday evening.

Texas A&M found themselves with a 104-103 lead with five events to go, however the Longhorns closed the meet with a burst by winning all five of the remaining events.

This meet turned out as advertised as three large momentum swings took place. Texas jumped out to a 35-20 lead after three races, but the Aggies fought back to grab five out of six straight races to hold onto the aforementioned 104-103 lead.

Leah Gingrich turned in an incredible meet, managing to grab first in the 200 fly (1:58.08) and 500 (4:48.18) and 1,000 (9:49.06) frees while Kathleen Hersey also won three races, the 100 fly (53.77), 200 free (1:46.80)  and 200 IM (1:59.12). Diver Lauren Caldwell scraped out a win on the one-meter (300.97) while coming from behind in the fifth round on the three-meter (319.42) to grab first. The Longhorns also captured both relays (1:40.45, 200 medley; 3:21.59, 400 free) to sandwich their second straight dual meet win over A&M.

The Aggies weren’t without their high points as well. Alia Atkinson proved why she could turn out to be the premier breaststroker in the country winning both the 100 (1:01.49) and 200 (2:11.85) breast against Texas for the fourth straight season. Julia Wilkinson was also a double winner, taking both the 100 back (54.26) and the 100 free (49.71). Kristen Heiss and Maria Sommer both earned wins for A&M in the 200 back (1:57.88) and 50 free (23.00), respectively.

Both squads will now ‘rest up’ before tackling their end-of-fall invitational meets. Texas wil host the Texas Invitational on Dec. 3-5 in Austin while the Aggies will travel to the Houston Invitational Nov. 20-22.