Senior Casey Clark won two individual events and swam on a winning Rice relay to help lead the Owl swimmers to a convincing team victory at the University of the Incarnate Word Christmas Invitational Sunday in San Antonio, Texas.
The Owls won the three-day, four-team meet with a total of 2,273.5 points amassed from 18 swim events. Meet host Incarnate Word was second (1,357 points), followed by North Texas (1.253 pts.) and the University of Houston (971.5). Rice head coach Seth Huston, the 2014 C-USA Coach of the Year, said winning the meet was a Holiday gift that he was glad to get.
“I was really pleased with the team this weekend,” coach Huston said. “I am encouraged with our improved performances at this point in the season. I feel like we accomplished our goals in building some momentum into the holiday break.”
Clark had such a dominating weekend of events she may not be ready to go on break just yet. Not only did the senior from Spring, Texas, win four individual events and swim on all five of Rice’s winning relays, she broke two school records and posted a host of NCAA provisional times. On Sunday Clark swam a 2:00.66 to lead a Rice landslide victory in the 200-butterfly as Owls claimed each of the events top six spots. Erin Flanigan (2:02.33) was second, followed by Meaghan Wisenbaker (2:05.32), Kaitlin Benjamin (2:06.22), Kiley Beall (2:06.82) and Kaitlyn Swinney (2:09.43).
It was a similar story in the 100-freestyle and the mile. Clark’s 49.65 led a sweep of the 100’s top four spots, followed by Hannah Deters (50.47), Cora McKenzie (51.13) and Marissa Konicke (51.14).
Flanigan won the 1,650 with a 16:31.21 that was just off her career-best mark. Taylor Armstrong was in second place (17:14.06) in her first mile of the season while Anniina Ala-Seppala was third (17:19.33).
Armstrong was also second in the 200-backstroke with a season-best 2:01.42. Julie Litver was third (2:01.60) and Swinney was third (2:03.80). Senior Rachel Moody was Rice’s top finisher in the 200-breaststroke, posting a season-best 2:14.74.
The Owl foursome of Armstrong, Clark, Konicke and Lauren Fitzgerald closed out the meet with a win in the 400-free relay (3:23.42). After a break for the Holidays the Rice swim team next returns to competition with a home dual meet on January 3. The Owls host Missouri State in the final home meet for six Rice seniors.
