AUSTIN, Texas (SMU) - Select members of the SMU swimming and diving programs competed at the 2016 Arena Pro Swim Series at Austin, with eight swimmers advancing to evening finals in their respective events and former Mustang standout Rachel Nicol placing in the top eight. The event was held Jan. 15-17 at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on the campus of the University of Texas.

Nicol, who completed her eligibility with the Mustangs following the 2014-15 season, placed eighth in the Championship Final of the 100-meter breaststroke clocking in at 1:09.21. The Canadian currently holds an A standard in the event for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and has a B standard in the 200-meter distance. In the latter, Nicol posted a 2:29.16 to win the C Final. She also has a provisional standard for Rio in the 200-meter individual medley.

Current Mustang Anna Cheesbrough registered the next highest finish for the Ponies at the event with a seventh-place performance in the Consolation Final of the 200-meter butterfly.

Tara-Lynn Nicholas was eighth (1:12.30) C Final of the 100-breast, while Isabella Arcila (50 free), Marne Erasmus (100 fly) and Kirsty McLauchlan (200 breast) all competed in D Finals. Arcila's 26.03 in her race was good for the top spot, while Erasmus was the event runner-up.

On the men's side, Mustang alum Tyler Rauth came in at fifth posting a 2:03.54 in the C Final of the 200-fly, while Bartosz Krzyzaniak finished seventh in the D Final of the 100-back.

The Austin Grand Prix served as a FINA-approved competition in which qualifying times could be used for the 2016 Olympic Games. Ten Mustangs have currently posted at least one 'B' standard for Rio, with eight posting multiple.

The men return to action Jan. 29 for a dual meet at Texas A&M, while the women return to the pool Feb. 5 when they host North Texas in Mansfield, Texas. Both teams compete on Feb. 6 in Mansfield in pre-conference time trial action. Check SMUMustangs.com for a complete schedule, and follow the programs on social media for updates.

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