Erasmus, Nicholas Earn All-America Honors At NCAAs

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Erasmus And Nicholas Earn All-America Honors On Night Two Of NCAA Championship
Marne Erasmus And Tara-Lynn Nicholas Post Top-Eight Finishes; Set School Standards

March 21, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS (SMU) - Freshman Marne Erasmus led the SMU women's swimming and diving team on night two of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship with a third place finish and All-America honors in the 100-yard butterfly.

"Marne's third place was awesome and she led the race most of the way finishing with another school record," Head Coach Steve Collins said.

The freshman broke her own school record with a 51.10. Erasmus originally swam a 51.73 at the American Athletic Conference Championship, but bested that time in this morning's prelims with a 51.53. She was narrowly edged out by fellow American conference member Kelsi Worrell of Louisville who swam a 51.09 for second.

Classmate Tara-Lynn Nicholas earned her first All-America honor as she placed eighth in the championship final of the 100-yard breaststroke. Nicholas, who finished finals in a time of 1:00.44, set a school standard in the event's prelims with a time of 59.55.

"Tara's school record in the morning was SMU's first 100 breast under a minute," Collins added.

Seniors Nina Rangelova and Monika Babok along with juniors Isabella Arcila and Rachel Nicol competed in the 200-yard medley relay and posted a 1:38.77 in prelims, while the 800-yard freestyle relay team of Rangelova, Arcila, junior Nathalie Lindborg and freshman Ursa Bezan finished the prelims with a time of 7:11.41.

"Our relay teams, although they did not score, were great and showed great character," Collins said.

SMU moved up six spots in the rankings after day two and now sit at 14th with 39 points.

"The Mustangs showed great sprit tonight," Collins added. "All of our swims today were championship quality, and we are excited to have moved up in the rankings after day two."

The Ponies are back in action for the final night of the Championship on Saturday. Check the Championship Central page for a full schedule and ways to follow.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Congratulations to the team! We definitely had some great swims today!

Good luck on day three!

Go Ponies!