Pierce, Kastes impressive for No. 22 Arkansas at U.S. Grand Prix
Swimming & Diving
UA Media Relations
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Sports
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Arkansas junior Leah Pierce set a school record in the 200 breast during the event finals at the Minnesota U.S. Grand Prix on Saturday night, winning with a time of 2:10.96, also the second-fastest time in the country and a personal best time.
Pierce previously set a record in the 200 breast on Saturday morning in the prelims, winning the race with her time of 2:15.63.
Katie Kastes had another strong day at the meet, winning the 400 IM finals in 4:19.71, a team season best in the event and the third best time in Razorback history. Kastes already holds the Arkansas record in the 400 IM and her time in the 400 IM prelims Saturday morning, 4:21.64, sits fourth on the all-time list.
"After a sluggish morning session, the girls came back and had an incredible finals session," UA head coach Jeff Poppell said. "A number of individuals achieved career best times, highlighted by the individual titles by Katie Kastes in the 400 IM, Leah Pierce in the 200 breast and Lynette Ng's runner-up finish in the 100 back."
After Pierce's record-breaking performance in the 200 breast, Razorback Lynette Ng broke her first school record of her career in the final of the 100 back in 55.55, previously set by Missy Allert in 1993.
"Leah had a phenomenal swim in 200 breast and she shattered her own record by 5 seconds to post the second-fastest time in the country this year," Poppell said. "Lynette had a fantastic swim in 100 and also broke a long-standing record by former Arkansas All-American, Missy Allert.
More personal best times fell for the Razorbacks on Saturday; Jamie Marks finished second in a best time of 4:57.93, Ng set a new best in the "B" heat of the 50 free finals, placing second in 24.12, and Kylie Kastes set a personal best in the 500 free prelims, finishing 30th with a time of 5:06.35. Katie Kastes put up another big time for the squad in her team season high 4:51.47 finish in the 500 free finals where she placed fifth.
Pierce previously set a record in the 200 breast on Saturday morning in the prelims, winning the race with her time of 2:15.63.
Katie Kastes had another strong day at the meet, winning the 400 IM finals in 4:19.71, a team season best in the event and the third best time in Razorback history. Kastes already holds the Arkansas record in the 400 IM and her time in the 400 IM prelims Saturday morning, 4:21.64, sits fourth on the all-time list.
"After a sluggish morning session, the girls came back and had an incredible finals session," UA head coach Jeff Poppell said. "A number of individuals achieved career best times, highlighted by the individual titles by Katie Kastes in the 400 IM, Leah Pierce in the 200 breast and Lynette Ng's runner-up finish in the 100 back."
After Pierce's record-breaking performance in the 200 breast, Razorback Lynette Ng broke her first school record of her career in the final of the 100 back in 55.55, previously set by Missy Allert in 1993.
"Leah had a phenomenal swim in 200 breast and she shattered her own record by 5 seconds to post the second-fastest time in the country this year," Poppell said. "Lynette had a fantastic swim in 100 and also broke a long-standing record by former Arkansas All-American, Missy Allert.
More personal best times fell for the Razorbacks on Saturday; Jamie Marks finished second in a best time of 4:57.93, Ng set a new best in the "B" heat of the 50 free finals, placing second in 24.12, and Kylie Kastes set a personal best in the 500 free prelims, finishing 30th with a time of 5:06.35. Katie Kastes put up another big time for the squad in her team season high 4:51.47 finish in the 500 free finals where she placed fifth.
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