UF Women’s Swimming & Diving: Talia Bates Finishes Second In The 200 Free at NCAA Championships

Courtesy of University Athletic Association

BY BRIDGETTE UNDERWOOD

Talia Bates has the top finish for Gators thus far at the NCAA Championships as she finished second in the 200 free.

Bates shot out of a cannon in the 200 free final, finishing in 1:43.49 to place second, earning her All-American Honors at the NCAA Championships.

In the prelims Bates had a time of 1:43.28, which moved her up to number two on the UF all-time best list.

Ashley McCool finished fifth in the 3-meter diving competition, earning Honorable All-American Honors as she placed 13th overall with 321.30 points.

Quotables

Head Coach Jeff Poppell

“What a tremendous swim by Talia tonight to finish runner-up at her first NCAA Championships. Day in and day out, she is easily one of the hardest workers we have and truly deserves all the success she receives. Her big swim tonight should give our entire team a big boost heading into our final day tomorrow.”

Diving Coach Bryan Gillooly

“Another great job by Ashley to finish out her meet. She wasn’t quite as sharp as she can be. Just missed a couple hurdles. The best part of her meet for me was her attitude. She never gave up, never got down on herself, and did her very best all the way through. She battled back from behind in both events and finished very strong. She should be very proud. I am for sure.”

Standings
1. Virginia                          344
2. NC State                         241
3. Texas                              224
4. California                       210
5. Ohio St                           177.5
6. Alabama                         155
7. Stanford                          140
8. Michigan                        127.5
9. Georgia                           115
10. Kentucky                      114
10. UNC                              114
12. Tennessee                      90
13. Louisville                       81
14. Missouri                         79
15. Florida                            74.5
16. Texas A&M                    64
16. Northwestern                  64
18. Indiana                            63
19. Southern California         42
19. Miami                              42
21. Minnesota                        40
22. Wisconsin                        39
23. Virginia Tech                   28
24. Nebraska                          22
25. Arkansas                          21
26. Arizona                            17.5
27. Georgia Tech                   16
28. Purdue                              13
29. LSU                                    9
30. Houston                            6
30. San Diego St                     6
32. Notre Dame                      4
32. Duke                                 4
34. Akron                                3

Event Schedule

March 20 – 10 a.m. Trials
*        1,650-yard Freestyle
*        200-yard Backstroke
*        100-yard Freestyle
*        200-yard Breaststroke
*        200-yard Butterfly
*        Platform Diving
6 p.m. Finals
*        1,650-yard Freestyle
*        200-yard Backstroke
*        100-yard Freestyle
*        200-yard Breaststroke
*        200-yard Butterfly
*        Platform Diving
*        400-yard Freestyle Relay

What’s Next
The final day of the NCAA Championships will start at 10 a.m. with the 200 back followed by the 100 free, 200 breast, and the 200 fly.