Women's Swimming and Diving NCAA Championship Set to Start Wednesday

Wednesday, March 14

Columbus, Ohio

All Day

University of Louisville

Women's NCAA Championships

Friday evening ACC Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

Photo by: Karl L. Moore

Women's Swimming and Diving NCAA Championship Set to Start Wednesday

March 12, 2018 | Swimming & Diving

NCAA Women Swimming and Diving Championship Notes and Records

Check here for all the information, links, times and bios

By: Nancy Worley

Following their best ACC Championships finish in program history, the University of Louisville women's swimming and diving team will head to Columbus, Ohio for the 2018 Division I NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, which are set to begin on Wednesday, March 14 and run through Saturday, March 17.

Competition will kick off on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Ohio State's McCorckle Aquatic Pavilion with the timed finals of the 800 free relay. On Thursday and Saturday, prelims will begin each morning at 10 a.m. ET, followed by finals at 6 p.m. On Friday, prelims start at 9 a.m. with finals at 5 p.m.

The 10th-ranked Cardinals head qualified a record 12 swimmers and one diver to the championships, as well as all five relays.

Mariia Astashkina (100 Breast, 200 Breast), Rachael Bradford-Feldman (200 IM, 400 IM, 200 Breast), Avery Braunecker (50 Free), Sophie Cattermole (500 Free, 1650 Free), Mallory Comerford (100 Free, 200 Free, 500 Free), Casey Fanz (50 Free, 100 Free), Morgan Friesen (100 Breast, 200 Breast), Lauren James (200 Breast), Alina Kendzior (100 Back), Grace Oglesby (100 Fly, 200 Fly) Ashlyn Schoof (100 Back), and Lainey Visscher (50 Free, 100 Free) all qualified individually for the Cards. Molly Fears will represent Louisville in the dive. In addition to the individual qualifiers, Arina Openysheva and Nastja Govejsek will also be making the trip to Columbus as relay swimmers.

Comerford ranks inside the top-five in all three of her individual events. She is seeded second in the 200 free, third in the 100 free, and fifth in the 500 free. Oglesby is ranked within the top-10 in both the 100 and 200 fly with the No. 6 and No. 10 spots respectively.

Three of the Cardinals' relays are seeded in the top-eight, highlighted by the fourth-ranked 200 free relay. Louisville sits fifth in the 400 free relay and sixth in the 800 free relay.

A total of 281 swimmers from 58 different institutions will compete at the NCAA Championships.

All prelims sessions, along with Wednesday and Thursday night finals will be broadcast on Buckeye Vision. On Friday, live coverage of finals will be shown on ESPNU, while Saturday's finals will be on ESPN3.

Louisville's Complete List of Entries:
Mariia Astashkina (100 Breast, 200 Breast)
Rachael Bradford-Feldman (200 IM, 400 IM, 200 Breast)
Avery Braunecker (50 Free, 100 Free, 100 Breast)
Sophie Cattermole (200 Free, 500 Free, 1650 Free)
Mallory Comerford (100 Free, 200 Free, 500 Free)
Casey Fanz (50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free)
Morgan Friesen (100 Breast, 200 Breast)
Lauren James (100 Breast, 200 Breast, 200 IM)
Alina Kendzior (100 Back, 200 Back, 200 IM)
Grace Oglesby (100 Fly, 200 Fly, 200 IM)
Ashlyn Schoof (100 Back, 200 Back)
Lainey Visscher (50 Free, 100 Free, 100 Back)

Louisville earned its best ACC finish in program history, placing second behind the University of Virginia. Prior to this year's ACCs, the Cardinals finished third in 2017 and fourth in both 2016 and 2015.

The Cardinals collected 16 medals at the 2018 ACC Championships, seven gold, five silver, and four bronze. Mallory Comerford earned gold in all three of her individual events (100, 200, 500 free) and anchored the Cards to a come-from-behind win in the 400 medley relay. Also turning in gold-medal winning performances were Grace Oglesby (100 and 200 fly) and Maria Astashkina (200 breast).

Heading into NCAAs, the Cardinals have broken six school records. At the 2017 Winter Nationals, Mallory Comerford broke her own record in the 500 free with a 4:35.78. Junior Sophie Cattermole, who is in the midst of a breakout year for the Cards, smashed the previous school records in both the 1000 (9:42.86) and 1650 (16:00.88) free. The Cardinals have also broken the school records in all three freestyle relays. Lainey Visscher, Comerford, Avery Braunecker, and Casey Fanz combined for a 1:26.92 in the 200 free relay; Visscher, Fanz, and Comerford were joined by Arina Openysheva to break the 400 free relay record with a time of 3:10.73; Cattermole, Comerford, Openysheva, and Rachael Bradford-Feldman torched the previous mark in the 800 free relay with a time of 6:56.32.

A record 12 members of the Cardinals' ACC Championship team qualified for the NCAA Championships, the third largest number of qualifiers in the nation behind Stanford and Texas A&M. Prior to 2018, the largest number of NCAA qualifiers for UofL was eight. All five of Louisville's relay teams also qualified.

At the 2017 NCAA Championships, the Cardinals tied their best performance in program history with a sixth place finish and a collective 194.5 points.

The Cardinals return Mallory Comerford, the reigning NCAA Champion in the 200 free. She went on to win gold in the 100M free at the USA Summer National Championships before finaling at the FINA World Championship with a fourth place in the 100M Freestyle.

The Cardinal women have six events where they rank in the top 10 in the NCAA, led by Mallory Comerford's third-ranked times in the 100 and 200 freestyle. She is also ranked sixth in both the 100 fly and the 500 free. Grace Oglesby joins Comerford among the nation's fastest with the eighth-ranked time in the 100 fly and the 10^th-ranked time in the 200 fly. The Cards have top ten times in all three freestyle relays, with the fourth-best times in the 200 free and 400 free relay and the sixth-fastest time in the 800 free relay.

Arthur Albiero has coached on both the national and international stage since becoming the Cards' head coach in August 2003. He was named to the USA National Team staff for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, as well as the Team USA Coach for the 2016 Short Course World Championships and the 2017 FINA World Championships.

NCAA Team Finish History
2017 – 6^th                  2016 – 8^th
2015 – 6^th                  2014 – 15^th
2013 – 22^nd               2012 – 24^th
2011 – 40^th                2010 – 42^nd
2009 –40^th                 2008 – 49^th

A Closer Look at the Cardinals
Mariia Astashkina (100 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM)

2018 ACC Championships

Gold – 200 breast (2:09.01)
- Outtouched Florida State's Natalie Pierce by .04
Seventh – 100 breast (1:00.73)
14^th – 200 IM (1:59.19)

2017 Winter Nationals

Gold – 4x50 Medley Relay (1:36.86), 4x100 medley relay (3:31.92)
Bronze – 200 IM (1:57.06)
Fourth – 100 breast (59.71)
Fifth – 200 breast (2:09.48)

Other Information

Hails from Moscow, Russia, where she was a member of the Russian National Team.
Competed in the 2015 Junior World Championships, where she won gold in the 4x100 medley relay and silver in the 200 breaststroke
At the 2015 European Games held in Baku, she won gold in the 50M breast, 100m breast, 200m breast and the 4x100 medley at the age of 15
Ranks second all-time for UofL in the 100 breast (59.71)
Ranks third all-time for UofL in the 200 breast (2:09.01)
Ranks fifth all-time for UofL in the 200 IM (1:57.06)

Personal Best Times:
100 breast – 59.71
200 breast – 2:09.01
200 IM – 1:57.06

Rachael Bradford-Feldman (200 IM, 400 IM, 200 breast)

2018 ACC Championships:

Silver – 200 IM (1:55.74), 800 free relay (6:56.32)
Bronze – 400 IM (4:08.14), 200 breast (2:09.38)
- Earned medals in every event she swam at ACCs.

2017 Winter National Championships

Gold – 4x200 free relay (6:58.41)
Fourth – 400 IM (4:09.24)
Fifth – 200 IM (1:57.62)
Won the consolation final in the 200 breast (2:11.57)

2017 NCAA Championships

21^st in the 200 breast (2:10.32)
22^nd in the 200 IM (1:56.99)
33^rd in the 400 IM (4:12.41)

Other Information:

UofL record-holder in the 800 free relay (6:56.32)
Ranks second all-time for UofL in the 200 IM (1:55.74)
Ranks second all-time for UofL in the 400 IM (4:07.89)
Ranks fourth all-time for UofL in the 200 breast (2:09.38)

Her nickname is RBF.

Personal Best Times:
200 IM – 1:55.74
400 IM – 4:07.89
200 Breast – 2:09.36

Avery Braunecker (50 free, 100 free, 100 breast)

2018 ACC Championships

Silver – 200 free relay (1:26.92)
- Split a 21.66
Won the consolation final of the 50 free (22.33)

2017 Winter National Championships

Gold – 4x50 free relay

Silver – 4x50 medley relay
Bronze – 4x100 free relay

2017 NCAA Championships

Member of the sixth place 200 free relay (1:27.52)
- Split a 22.13

Other Information:

UofL record-holder in the 200 free relay (1:26.92)
Ranks sixth all-time for UofL in the 50 free (22.22)

Personal Best Times:
50 free – 22.22
100 free – 49.58
100 breast – 1:01.54

Sophie Cattermole (200 free, 500 free, 1650 free)

2018 ACC Championships

Silver – 500 free (4:37.48), 800 free relay (6:56.32)
- Completed a 1-2 finish for Louisville with Mallory Comerford in the 500 free
- Moved up to second after finishing 18^th in the event at the 2017 ACCs
Bronze – 1650 free (16:00.78)
Placed 11^th in the 200 free with a 1:45.32

2017 Winter Nationals

Gold – 4x200 free relay
- Split a 1:44.89
Bronze – 4x100 free relay
- Split a 48.72
Fourth – 1650 free (16:02.36), 500 free (4:40.99)
Fifth – 200 free (1:45.85)

2017 NCAA Championships

Member of the eighth place 800 free relay (6:58.41)

Other Information:

UofL record holder in the 1000 free (9:42.86), 1650 free (16:00.78), and 800 free relay (6:56.32)
- Smashed the previous UofL record in the 1650 by nearly 20 seconds
Holds the second fastest time in UofL history in the 500 free (4:37.48)
Ranks fourth all-time in the 200 free for UofL in the 200 free (1:45.12)
Native of Great Britain, but her family currently resides in the Sarasota, Fla.

Personal Best Times:
200 Free – 1:45.12
500 Free – 4:37.48
1650 Free – 16:00.78

Mallory Comerford (100 free, 200 free, 500 free)

2018 ACC Championships:

Recognized as Swimmer of the Meet

Gold – 100 free (46.65 – ACC meet record), 200 free (1:42.17), 500 free (4:36.09), 400 medley relay (3:30.66)
- Won all three of her individual events
Silver – 800 free relay (6:56.32), 200 free relay (1:26.92), 400 free relay (3:10.73)

2017 FINA World Championships:

Five relay gold medals for the USA – 4x100m medley, 4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle, mixed 4x100m medley and mixed 4x100m freestyle.

2017 Winter Nationals:

Gold - 100 (46.70) and 200 free (1:41.17)
- Beat Missy Franklin's meet record time of 1:41.40 by 0.23 seconds in the 200
Silver - 500 free (4:35.78) and 100 fly (50.92)
Bronze - 50 free (21.88)

2017 NCAA Championships:

NCAA Champion - 200 free (1:40.36)
- Tied five-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Katie Ledecky, for the gold
Bronze in the 100 free (46.35)
Fourth in the 500 free (4:36.16)
Member of 200 free, 400 free, and 800 free, and 400 medley relay (All finished in Top-8)

Other Information:

Won the Golden Goggles award for Breakout Performer of the Year
Owns UofL records in the 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, and all five relays
ACC Record in the 100 free (46.35) and 200 free (1:40.36)

Personal Best Times:
50 Free – 21.88
100 Free – 46.35
200 Free – 1:40.36
500 Free – 4:35.78
100 Fly – 50.92

Casey Fanz (50 free, 100 free, 200 free)

2018 ACC Championships

Silver – 200 free relay (1:26.92), 400 free relay (3:10.73)
- Anchored the 200 free relay with a 21.57 split
- Split a 47.63 in the 400 free relay

Bronze – 50 free (22.07)
- Tied for the bronze medal with Virginia's Laine Reed
Won the consolation final in the 100 free (48.58)

2017 Winter Nationals

Gold - 4x50 Medley relay
- Split a 21.45 in the anchor leg
Sixth in the 50 free (22.19) and 100 free (48.43)

2017 NCAA Championships:

Member of the 200 free relay (6^th), 200 medley relay (10^th), and 400 free relay (6^th)
Placed 30^th in the 50 free (22.37)

Other Information:

UofL record-holder in the 200 free relay and 400 free relay
Fourth all-time in the 50 free for UofL (22.04)
Sixth all-time in the 100 free for UofL (48.43)
She was the 4-time state champion in the 50 free, having won 4 consecutive state titles in Virginia.

Personal Best Times:
50 free - 22.04
100 free - 48.43
200 free - 1:47.46

Morgan Friesen (100 breast, 200 breast)
2018 ACC Championships

Gold – 400 medley relay (3:30.66)
- Split a 1:00.30 in the breaststroke leg
Fifth in the 200 breast (2:10.31)
Sixth in the 100 breast (1:00.56)

2017 Winter National Championships

Silver – 4x100 medley relay (3:33.94)
Placed sixth in the 200 breast (2:11.00)

Other Information:

Ranks fourth all-time for UofL in the 100 breast (1:00.11)
Ranks fifth all-time for UofL in the 200 breast (2:09.93)
Six-time 4A Colorado State Champion

Personal Best Times
100 breast – 1:00.11
200 breast – 2:09.93
200 IM – 2:01.78

Nastja Govejsek (Relays)
2018 ACC Championships

Placed seventh in the 100 fly (52.72)

2017 Winter Nationals

Gold – 4x50 medley relay (1:36.86)
- Split as 23.24 in the 50 fly
Silver – 4x100 medley relay (3:33.94)
- Split a 52.22 in the 100 fly
Bronze – 4x50 free relay (1:30.61)
Seventh in the 100 fly (53.58)

2017 NCAA Championships

Member of the sixth place 400 free relay team (3:11.97)
- Achored with a 48.84
Swam the butterfly leg in the prelims of the 200 medley relay (1:36.55)
- Split a 23.65

Other Information:

Ranks fourth all-time for UofL in the 100 fly (52.54)
Ranks eighth all-time for UofL in the 100 free (49.33)
Member of the Slovenian National Team
Swam the 50M free, 100M free, 50M fly, and 100M fly at the 2016 FINA World Championships in Kazan

Personal Best Times:
50 Free – 22.71
100 Free – 49.33
100 Fly – 52.54

Lauren James (100 breast, 200 breast, 200 IM)
2018 ACC Championships:

Finished fourth in the 200 breast (2:09.95)
- Part of a 1,3,4 Cardinal finish
Placed 12^th in the 100 breast (1:01.20)

2017 Winter Nationals:

Placed seventh overall in the 200 breast (2:11.12)

Other Information:

Ranks sixth all-time in UofL history in the 100 breast (2:09.95)
Ranks seventh all-time in UofL history in the 100 breast (1:01.04)

Personal Best Times
100 breast – 1:01.04
200 breast – 2:09.38
200 IM – 2:01.24

Alina Kendzior (100 back, 200 back)
2018 ACC Championships:

Gold – 400 medley relay (3:30.66)
- Split a 52.66
Finished fourth in the 100 back (52.48)
Finished eighth in the 200 IM (1:58.17)
Finished 12^th in the 200 back (1:54.48)

2017 Winter Nationals

Gold – 4x50 medley relay, 4x100 medley relay
Placed sixth in the 200 back (1:55.05)
Placed eighth in the 100 back (54.66)

2017 NCAA Championships

Member of the fourth place 400 medley relay
- Split a 52.06
Member of the 10^th place 200 medley relay
- Split a 24.46
Placed 28^th in the 200 back

Other Information:

Has qualified for the NCAA Championships all three years
At the 2016 Estonian National Championships in Tallinn, Kendzior swam a time of 1:01.98, marking herself as the first Estonian to go under 1:02 in this event. In all, she holds four national records for her native country. (50 back, 100 back and 200 back and the 4x100 mixed medley relay)
Owns five UofL records
- 50 back (24.46)
- 100 back (52.06)
- 200 back (1:53.61)
- 200 medley relay (1:35.36), 400 medley relay (3:27.58

Personal Best Times:
100 back – 52.06
200 back – 1:53.61
200 IM – 1:57.75

Grace Oglesby (100 fly, 200 fly, 200 IM)

2018 ACC Championships:

Gold – 100 fly (51.11), 200 fly (1:53.87), 400 medley relay (3:30.66)
- First ACC individual titles
Seventh – 200 IM (1:56.77)

2017 Winter Nationals:

Gold – 400 medley relay (3:31.92)

Silver - 200 fly (1:54.28), 4x50 medley relay (1:37.95)
Fifth - 100 fly (51.69)

2017 NCAA Championships:

Helped the Cards to a fourth place finish in the 400 medley relay
- Split a 51.66
Member of the 200 medley relay that finished 10^th
Placed 15^th in the 100 fly with a 52.10
Placed 19^th in the 200 fly with a 1:55.85

Other Information:

Ranks third all-time for UofL in the 100 fly (51.11), 200 fly (1:53.87)
Ranks fourth all-time for UofL in the 200 IM (1:56.77)
Grace is a home-grown talent from Louisville, swimming for Cardinal Aquatics.

Personal Best Times:

100 fly – 51.11
200 fly – 1:53.87
200 IM – 1:56.77

Arina Openysheva (Relays)

2018 ACC Championships:

Silver – 800 free relay (6:56.32), 400 free relay (3:10.73)
Placed 15^th in the 200 free (1:46.27)
Placed 19^th in the 100 free (49.12)

2017 Winter National Championships:

Gold – 4x100 free relay (3:12.15), 4x200 free relay (6:58.41)
Bronze – 4x50 free relay (1:30.61)
Fourth – 200 free (1:45.59)
Won the consolation final of the 100 free with a 48.97

2016 Rio Olympics:

Member of the 2016 Russian Olympic team
Competed in the 200, 400, and 800-meter free
- Third fastest junior swimmer in the 200-meter free with an 18^th place time of 1:58.05
Anchored the seventh place 4x200 meter free relay

2017 World Championships

Placed 19^th in the 400-meter free
Anchored the fourth place 4x200 meter free relay for Russia

Other Information:

At the 2017 World University Games in Taipei, she claimed the bronze medals in both the 100 and 200-meter free and anchored Russia to gold in the 4x200-meter free with the fastest split of the field (1:57.72). Helped Russia to a silver medal in the 4x100-meter free relay in Taipei.
Won one gold, two silver, and three bronze medals at the 2017 World Junior Championships, helping Russia to break the junior world record in the 4x100-meter mixed medley relay.
While competing in the 2015 European Games, she won an astounding seven gold medals and one silver medal, making her the most decorated athlete of the Games.
UofL record-holder in the 800 free relay
Ranks in the top-10 all-time for Louisville in the 50, 100, 200, and 500 freestyle

Personal Best Times:
50 free – 22.58
100 free – 48.97
200 free – 1:45.59
500 free – 4:44.05

Ashlyn Schoof (100 back, 200 back)

2018 ACC Championships:

13th in the 100 back (53.44)
15^th in the 200 back (1:55.50)

2017 Winter Nationals

Silver – 4x50 medley relay (1:37.95), 4x100 medley relay (3:33.94)
Fifth – 100 back (52.71)
Eighth – 200 back (1:56.12)

Other Information:

Ranks second all-time for UofL in the 100 back (52.47)
Ranks fourth all-time for UofL in the 50 back (24.89)
Ranks fifth all-time for UofL in the 200 back (1:55.37)
Finalist at NCSAs, Junior Nationals, and the U.S. Open

Personal Best Times:
50 Back – 24.89
100 Back – 51.98
200 Back – 1:54.35

Lainey Visscher (50 free, 100 free, 100 back)

2018 ACC Championships: