The No. 15-ranked Indiana University women’s swimming and diving team had a tremendous Thursday night at the 2017 NCAA Championships at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Ind.
Through two days, the Hoosiers sit in 10th place overall with a total of 61 points.
Kennedy Goss had an unbelievable performance in the 500 freestyle, placing third in the Championship Final with a personal-best time of 4:36.13. Goss’ time is a personal-best that ranks as the fifth-fastest mark in school history, ranking her as the third-best performer in the event at IU.
The Toronto, Ontario native closed the race with an incredible final 50 free split of 26.26 that was second only to NCAA champion Katie Ledecky’s 26.03.
Goss’ third-place finish is the best for any Hoosier in the 500 free at a NCAA Championships since Jennifer Hooker placed second in 1980. Her effort also marked the 10th-straight year that at least one IU swimmer has scored in the event at the NCAA Championships.
Goss’ third-place finish is all the more impressive considering the junior was seeded No. 38 in the 500 free entering the day.
In the 400 medley relay, the Hoosier team of Goss, Lilly King, Gia Dalesandro and Holly Spears had a great showing, placing fifth with a school record time of 3:28.58. The fifth place finish for IU is the best in program history in the event at the NCAA Championships.
Continuing her great night, Goss led IU off with a personal-best 100 backstroke split of 52.77, ranking her as the ninth-best performer in Indiana history.
King followed with the best-ever 100 breast split in NCAA history in a 400 medley relay, touching the wall in time of 56.17.
Dalesandro followed with great 100 fly time of 50.99, giving the Hoosiers the lead after three legs. Spears had a great time of 48.65 in her 100 free, helping IU take fifth place.
In the Consolation Final of the 1-meter dive, Jessica Parratto placed second to finish 10th overall with a total of 311.10 to earn Honorable Mention All-America honors. The finish was a career-best for the redshirt-sophomore in the 1-meter at NCAA’s. Parratto has now earned three All-America accolades for the Hoosiers.
Also for Indiana, Goss’ two All-America honors push her career total to an impressive 10, while King earned her fifth All-America accolade. Dalesandro earned her seventh, while both Spears and Ali Rocket, who swam in the prelims on the 400 medley relay, earned their first.
The Indiana University women’s swimming and diving team will continue competition at the 2017 NCAA Championships on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. ET with the prelims of the 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, 200 medley relay and 3-meter dive.
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500 Freestyle
- Kennedy Goss – 4:36.13 (Personal-Best, All-America Honors)
400 Medley Relay
- Kennedy Goss, Lilly King, Gia Dalesandro, Holly Spears 3:28.59 – (School Record, All-America Honors; Ali Rockett also earns All-America honors for swimming in prelims)
1-Meter Dive
- Jessica Parratto – 311.10 (Honorable Mention All-America Honors)
