Wheeler Has Historic Weekend at Southwest Shootout
One day after breaking the Austin College women’s swimming and diving program record in the 50 free twice in the same meet, Lauren Wheeler broke three more program records on Saturday on day two of the Southwest Shootout to lead the ‘Roos to a strong overall weekend.
One day after breaking the Austin College women's swimming and diving program record in the 50 free twice in the same meet, Lauren Wheeler broke three more program records on Saturday on day two of the Southwest Shootout to lead the 'Roos to a strong overall weekend. That marks the first time an Austin College swimmer has broken four records during one meet.
Wheeler led the women's team with record breaking swims in the 400 individual medley, 200 backstroke, and 100 freestyle. Wheeler finished the 400 IM with a time of 4:54.76, good for fourth place in the event, and shattered the 200 backstroke record with a time of 2:13.45, nearly five seconds faster than the previous Austin College best. Also performing well at the meet were Maggie Autry, who finished 10th in the 100 breaststroke, and Katie Hasson with an 11th place finish in the 1-meter diving competition.
On the men's side, Zack Bengston made his first ever diving competition a memorable one with a pair of first place finishes in the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Mark Perez had a strong overall meet as well, finishing 11th in the 200 free, 13th in the 100 free, and 14th in the 50 free, while Erik Gentzel finished 12th in the 100 backstroke, Jacob Fenster finished 10th in the 100 fly, and Charlie Overton was 12th in the 200 fly.
Overall the women finished seventh at the meet with 124 team points and the men finished sixth with 157 points.
Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
About Austin College
Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope's influential book Colleges that Change Lives.