Wistey, Nelson Lead Cyclones at Big 12 Championships

02.24.2012 | Swimming and Diving

By: cyclones.com

RESULTS

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Imelda Wistey and Sarah Nelson each posted eighth-place finishes on the third day of the Big 12 Championships at the Mizzou Aquatics Center. Iowa State remains fifth in the team standings with 223 points. Texas A&M continues to control the team standings with 717 points.

“We were solid this morning, it was not a great session but we came back strong tonight with some nice time drops,” Iowa State head coach Duane Sorenson said. “It was exciting to see Imelda get into the 100 breast and swim to one of the fastest times in Iowa State history.”

Wistey found her way into the 'A' final of the 100 breast via qualifying sixth in an NCAA 'B' cut of 1:01.97. The time made her the third-fastest Cyclone in school history. In the finals Wistey came in eighth place with a time of 1:02.52.

“Imelda was real confident after warm ups,” Sorenson noted. “She felt really strong and trusted her stroke throughout the race and got her 1:01.97. It is a big barrier to get past 1:02.00 for a breaststroker. She was pretty pleased with that.”

Iowa State also earned points in the event from Emily Wiltsie in 14th at 1:03.79 and Marley Suckow with her 16th place finish in 1:03.94.

In the diving well, Sarah Nelson made her first-career 'A' final with a dramatic finish during the 1-meter prelims. Nelson dove first in the prelim round and had to watch 14 other divers before her closest adversary, Christina Gailey of Missouri, did her final dive. Nelson edged out the Tiger by 0.95 points to make the night final, 278.80-to-277.85.

“Sarah did great today, I am really proud of her,” diving coach Jeff Warrick said. “She did a great job being consistent. Sarah said she was very confident today and she should be. It came down to the end and she did what she needed to do.”

In the final Nelson went a lower 255.35, but Warrick was happy that she was able to get the 'A' final experience.

“I told Sarah that she should have a lot of fun,” Warrick noted. “It was her first finals and it is a different atmosphere. She has now experienced it and did a great job.”

Iowa State had four score in the 400 IM. After qualifying in 11th in prelims, Sarah Deis ran away with the consolation final to place ninth overall with a time of 4:26.26. Deis was in third halfway through but posted a very quick 100 breast split and continued to pull away in the free to put the result in no doubt. The freshman now ranks fourth in school history in the 400 IM.

“Sarah is a very good breaststroke swimmer,” Sorenson said. “If she was not so good at her other strokes we would make her a breaststroker. She is very strong in that and came home strong at the end of the race. She is a great competitor and when she wants to do something, she will get the job done.”

Wiltsie came home in 12th (4:30.75) with Kristy Kunkel in 13th (4:33.97) and Suckow in 14th (4:38.17).

Iowa State finished fifth in the 400 medley relay as the team of Harris, Wistey, Sarah Norris and Amanda Paulson touched the wall in 3:46.22. The Cyclones were set a good platform to record their fifth-fastest 400 medley relay in school history as Dani Harris led off with an NCAA 'B' cut of 54.89.

“Dani swam a completely different race tonight,” Sorenson said. “Tonight she trusted herself and swam the way she is capable of doing. She swam her race to get her best time. She did great after a disappointing prelim session.”

Harris and Norris were back to work in the 100 back as Harris clocked in for third in the 'B' final, 11th overall in 55.79. Norris was right behind her for fourth in the 'B', 12th overall, in 56.59.

The Cyclones saw three score in the 100 fly, with Carissa Poeschel guiding the squad with her best time as an Iowa Stater in 56.38. Norris (15th, 57.01) and Paulson (16th, 57.41) also scored for the Cyclones.

Jenn Botsch wrapped up her Iowa State career by diving to an 11th place finish on the 3-meter springboard with a score of 252.80. Warrick was pleased that Botsch could wrap up her Cyclone career with her two highest finishes at the Big 12 Championships.

“That was a great way for Jenn to go out,” Warrick noted. “She had two solid days of performing and getting good scores. The way she performed makes the finishes just that much more special.”

Jessica Henderson also got on the board for the Cyclones with a 14th place finish of 217.15.

Day four action begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. CST with prelims for the 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly and platform diving. 1650 free prelims are slated to begin around 4:30 p.m. The diving finals are slated to start at 4:30 p.m. with the swimming finals kicking off at 6 p.m. with the 200 backstroke. The prelims session will be streamed live on big12sports.com.

Team Standings (thru 14 events)
1. Texas A&M - 717 points
2. Texas - 569 points
3. Missouri - 451 points
4. Kansas - 243 points
5. Iowa State – 223 points

Individual Results (Iowa State point scorers listed)

3-Meter Diving
1. Jaele Patrick (Texas A&M) – 372.60
8. Sarah Nelson – 278.80
11. Jenn Botsch – 252.80
14. Jessica Henderson – 217.15

400 Medley Relay
1. Texas A&M, 3:31.02
5. Iowa State (Harris, Wistey, Norris, Paulson ) – 3:46.22 (Harris 100 back leadoff 54.89 - NCAA 'B' cut)

400 IM
1. Cammile Adams (Texas A&M) – 4:08.88
9. Sarah Deis – 4:26.26
12. Emily Wiltsie – 4:30.75
13. Kristy Kunkel – 4:33.97
14. Marley Suckow – 4:38.17

100 Butterfly
1. Caroline McElhany (Texas A&M) – 52.92
12. Carissa Poeschel – 56.38
15. Sarah Norris – 57.14
16. Amanda Paulson – 57.97

200 Freestyle
1. Shara Stafford (Missouri) – 1:44.13

100 Breaststroke
1. Breeja Larson (Texas A&M) – 58.39
8. Imelda Wistey – 1:01.97 (NCAA 'B' cut)
14. Emily Wiltsie – 1:03.79
16. Marley Suckow – 1:03.94

100 Backstroke
1. Paige Miller (Texas A&M) – 52.99
11. Dani Harris – 55.79
12. Sarah Norris – 56.59