March 12, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio (SMU) - Several members of the SMU women's swim team competed in the Columbus Grand Prix this past weekend at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. The meet was the squad's final tune-up ahead of the Women's NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship this week.

Senior Therese Svendsen took second place overall in the 200-meter backstroke, touching the wall in 2:13.10. In the 100-meter backstroke, Svendsen placed third with a time of 1:01.52, less than one second behind first-place winner and U.S. Olympic gold medalist Natalie Coughlin.

Senior Denisa Smolenova had a strong showing with a pair of top-eight finishes. The butterfly specialist came in fourth in the 100-meter event clocking in with a time of 1:00.04 and was seventh in the 200-meter with a time of 2:15.16.

Senior Raminta Dvariskyte also had a solid meet as she placed seventh in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:35.05) and won the B Final, taking ninth overall, in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:11.12).

Sophomore Nina Rangelova won the B final of the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 1:59.87.

The Mustangs had several good swims in the 50-meter freestyle. Senior Emily Vavourakis won the C Final, finishing 17th overall with a time of 26.53. Just behind her was senior Genny Konicke (19th overall, 26.64) and sophomore Monika Babok (20th overall, 26.78). Vavourakis also placed 24th in the 100-meter freestyle, clocking in at 58.87.

Freshman Eleonor Lindborg earned 10th place in the 200-meter backstroke, finishing with a time of 2:17.53.

The Mustangs compete in the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships Thursday-Saturday in Auburn, Ala.