2023 TEXAS A&M LAST CHANCE MEET
- February 23-26, 2023
- Texas A&M Student Rec Center Natatorium, College Station, Texas
- Short Course Yards (50 yards), Prelims/Finals
- Results on Meet Mobile: “Texas A&M Last Chance Meet 2023”
During the final session of the Texas A&M last chance meet, the Texas A&M women moved up the rankings in the 400 freestyle relay, but fell short of NCAA qualification in the event.
The team of Bobbi Kennett, Jordan Buechler, Olivia Theall, and Chloe Stepanek combined for a time of 3:14.16, coming in just hundredths off of the NCAA A-cut of 3:14.10. Despite missing the cut, their performance was a strong improvement over the 3:14.88 that the same squad posted at the SEC Championships, moving them from 21st up to 17th nationally.
For the NCAA Championships, a team has to have an A-cut in at least one of the relays for the team to be eligible to swim any of the relays at the meet. Though the A&M 400 freestyle relay narrowly missed the A-cut, the team does meet the A-cut using the aggregate time of their 400 medley relay, making them eligible for all 5 relays at NCAAs.
Update: After review of the NCAA qualification procedures, it has been confirmed that teams can enter relays with the aggregate time of four individual swims if that time is faster than the team’s actual relay time.
In a 100 freestyle time trial on the final night of the meet, Stepanek posted a huge personal best of 47.67 to set herself up for that invitation. Her previous season best time of 47.94 would have ranked her 20th nationally, still likely good enough for an invitation to the meet, but the new result puts her in A-final contention at Nationals. She was 17th last year. Her 200 free time already had her in a sure-invite position for NCAAs, so this 100 free swim seems more about a confidence boost on a quick race in her home pool.
Rice’s Zoe Spitz also posted a personal best during the final session, swimming a 1:54.01 in the 200 backstroke to knock exactly a second off of her previous best of 1:55.01 from earlier this month. Zoe, the twin sister of Cal All-America Ayla Spitz, moved herself up to 41st in the country with her performance, one place ahead of her sister. That time puts her squarely on the bubble for an NCAA invite, with between 38-42 swimmers earning invites each season. Either way, Spitz broke her own school record with her swim, which she set with her 1:55.01 swim earlier this month.
Desirae Mangaoang had a strong performance in the 200 breaststroke, swimming a best time of 2:10.01 to move to 43rd nationally. Like Spitz, that puts her squarely on the backside of the bubble, depending on the event choices ahead of her.
NCAA pre-cut selection lists are expected out this Tuesday for women, with the invite lists anticipated for Wednesday. The men’s conference championship meets aren’t quite done yet, with those invites coming out a week later.
A&M barely qualifying for relays? Seems like the women’s program has all but collapsed
They did qualify all their relays. If they qualify 4 (which right now looks likely) they would swim all 5. The A cut allows them to take alternates that may not qualify on their own – so people that helped the relays get there. The swim was to be able to get her teammates to be able to go and swim as relay-only swimmers.
We need a moment of silence for those who get bumped from the meet. Relay qualifications are the best since no one gets bumped.
Speaking of 400 free relays, Hawaii KILLED the A cut today at the Georgia Last Chance meet, dropping more than 2 seconds to go 3:12.76. Tish Transom has made all the difference for them.
Well done Hawaii & Gator Mike!
The 100 Free Time Trial was done for my team so we could add up flat start times for an NCAA A cut in the 400 Medley and swim all 5 relays there now 🙂
made it happen (:
Cool. Didn’t know teams could use add up times. Congratulations, it will be great to take a big team.
Isn’t there a limit on “relay only” swimmers, though?
I think there is a 2 person relay only limit but most of our relay girls are expected to be invited individually so the limit shouldn’t be a problem for us!
That’s great!
(unless there’s been a change in the rules) with chloe’s 47.64 we can build the 400 medley a-cut using our flat start times! 🙂
Ahh missed the add up! That’s exciting, congrats to y’all. We’ll update it now.
Is there a limit for relay only swimmers?
4 per team (on their own dime).
Hey Braden, what exactly does “on their own dime” mean? Just that the NCAA isn’t footing the bill for travel/lodging/etc. but the school can? Or are the swimmers literally writing a check for their NCAA participation?
thank you!!