Mariana Cote sets school record as Houston swimming defeats Rice, Tulane

Houston swimming and diving defeated Rice and Tulane in a home tri-meet Friday afternoon at the CRWC Natatorium, highlighted by a school-record performance from junior Mariana Cote.

The Cougars defeated Rice 143-115 and Tulane 155-121, earning 10 event victories and 23 podium finishes during the competition.

Cote set a new school record in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 9.55.54. She finished second in the event, while sophomore Emma Overall placed third with a time of 9:59.37.

Houston opened the meet with a victory in the 200-yard medley relay. Junior Alexia Duncan teamed with seniors Evelyn Entrekin, Tierney Howell and Elizabeth Jimenez to finish in 1:39.94.

Duncan added two individual victories, winning the 100-yard backstroke in 53.34 seconds and the 200-yard individual medley in 2:00.24.

Junior Sienna Bruner captured the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:48.30. Senior Sydney Nethercutt won the 200-yard butterfly in 1:58.68, while Jimenez claimed the 200-yard backstroke in 1:57.90.

Entrekin contributed two additional event victories, winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:00.44 and the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:12.99.

In diving, senior Michelle McLeod swept both events, scoring 309.70 points in the 1-meter dive and 304.20 points in the 3-meter dive.

The Cougars also received contributions from several other swimmers. Freshman Kalle Rendon recorded a personal-best time of 1:51.29 in the 200-yard freestyle. Sophomore Helen Randolph finished second in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:00.70.

The Cougars will take a two-week break before returning to the CRWC Natatorium to host the annual Phill Hansel Invitational on Nov. 17-20.