The TCU swimming & diving team set 22 new school records this weekend at the Mountain West Conference Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The myriad of broken records was led by junior Edgar Crespo’s performance in the 100-meter breaststroke, and sophomore Sabine Rasch’s 1st-place finish in the 100-meter freestyle.
Crespo’s time of 53.35 seconds in the 100-meter breaststroke currently ranks him ninth-best in the nation in the event. He finished second in the event at the MWC Championships.
Crespo has the best chance to make the national championships in his event, head swimming coach Richard Sybesma said.
“We have a pretty good idea of where he’ll end up and he’ll be really close to getting to go [to the NCAA championships] as well,” Sybesma said.
Crespo also broke the TCU school record in the 200-meter breaststroke, with an NCAA “B” cut time of 1:58.60.
Swimming a “B” cut time qualifies a swimmer to be eligible to swim in the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, while swimming an “A” cut time means the swimmer receives an automatic bid to swim in the NCAA championships.
On the women’s side, Rasch also had a record-setting performance in the 100-meter freestyle.
Rasch took home the gold medal in the event. She was the only individual MWC champion on TCU’s squad.
The Germany native’s time of 49.25 seconds sets a school record and earns her an NCAA “B” cut.
Rasch is only a sophomore, but plays a big role in the success of the team, Sybesma said.
“She’s a good leader,” Sybesma said. “The [other swimmers] look up to her in the pool.”
Sybesma said the sky is the limit for Rasch in her remaining time at TCU. He said the coaches will provide the instruction and encouragement, and that she could go as far as she wants to go.
Rasch was also a member of the 400-freestyle relay team, along with sophomore Katie Scarsella, junior Ashley Bolin and sophomore Parris Schoppa.
The 400-freestyle team set another school record with a time of 3:23.92.
Sybesma said the expectations would continue to increase after last weekend’s performances by Crespo and Rasch.
The TCU swimming team posted a total of 22 “B” cuts in this weekend’s meet.
Sybesma said he was also pleased with the diving performances from senior Kyle Callens and freshman Katie Lybbert.
Callens placed second in the one-meter and third in the three-meter. Lybbert also placed third in the three-meter on the women’s side.
The men finished fourth in the MWC championships, and the women finished sixth. The fourth place finish was the highest ever for the men’s team.
Sybesma said swimmers will begin weight training and dry land workouts until spring break, and will resume workouts in the pool after the break.
