Session 2: Eight Huskers Qualify for Finals

 Columbia, Mo. ? Nebraska qualified eight finalists for Thursday evening's finals session during Thursday morning's preliminary session at the Big 12 Championships. Six Huskers qualified for the B Finals, including Jess Andrews, who narrowly missed a chance for a spot in the A Finals after losing a swim-off in the 50 Freestyle.

1-8 Finalists (A), 9-16 Consolation Finalists (B), 17-24 Bonus Finalists (C)

500 Freestyle
Five of the seven Huskers who swam the 500 Free set new career-bests, including junior Mariah Hutchinson whose time of 4:50.43 qualified her for the consolation finals this evening. Sophomore Blaine Hoppenrath beat her previous career-best by over 10 seconds by swimming a time of 4:52.77, but won't qualify for any finals because she was swimming exhibition.

12. Mariah Hutchinson (4:50.43)* --6th all-time
25. Mailene Leslie (4:57.49)*
27. Brandie Kavalec (4:59.53)
32. Caroline Shea (5:05.66)
35. Riley Seidel (5:10.51)*
38. Bobbi Balogh (5:16.78)*
Blaine Hoppenrath (4:52.77 ? exhibition)* --10th all-time
Qualifiers: Mariah Hutchinson (B)

200 IM
Kaitlin Arntz and Christina Yemm both qualified for the B Finals as they each swam career-best times in the 200 IM. Arntz's time of 2:02.34 was three seconds faster than her previous best and puts her at fourth on the all-time Husker list. Yemm's 2:03.92 is ninth all-time at Nebraska. Karen Criss qualified for the C Finals with a time of 2:05.63.

12. Kaitlin Arntz (2:02.34)* --4th all-time
15. Christina Yemm (2:03.92)* --9th all-time
21. Karen Criss (2:05.63)*
32. Hailey Dean (2:09.14)
34. Colleen Criss (2:10.56)#
35. Rachell McClain (2:10.98)*
36. Bailey Bolinske (2:13.14)*
Qualifiers: Kaitlin Arntz (B), Christina Yemm (B), Karen Criss (C)

50 Freestyle
Jess Andrews time of 23.12 in the 50 Free tied her for eighth place with Texas' Brie Powers. Powers won a swim-off for the final spot in the A finals, moving Andrews to the B Finals on Thursday evening.. Andrews' time was a career-best and puts her fifth on the all-time NU list. Jenna Stroud and C.J. Bray qualified for the B Finals, while Jenny Toler qualified for the C Finals. All 10 Huskers who swam in the event set new career-best times.

8. Jess Andrews (23.12)* --5th all-time
13. Jenna Stroud (23.41)* --7th all-time
16. C.J. Bray (23.53)* --9th all-time
19. Jenny Toler (23.64)*
26. Kelsey Grushecky (24.02)*
30. Julie Giehl (24.24)*
31. Meredith Matthies (24.29)*
34. Claire Desormey (24.51)*
41. Sarah Ziegelmann (24.80)**
Hailey Dean (23.94 - exhibition)*
Qualifiers: Jess Andrews (B), Jenna Stroud (B), C.J. Bray (B), Jenny Toler (C)

#season-best time
*career-best time

Thursday's Finals (6 p.m.)
500 Freestyle
200 IM
50 Freestyle
One Meter Diving
400 Medley Relay