Artistic Swimming | 2/4/2023 8:03:00 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Feb. 4, 2023) – For their second meet of 2023, the Texas Woman's artistic swimming team traveled to The Ohio State University for the Jessica Beck Memorial Competition.

At the meet, featuring the Buckeyes and Michigan, the Pioneers placed second with an overall score of 65. The home team Ohio State won the meet with a 105, and the Wolverines scored a 42.

"The girls had a solid competition, and it was great to see them compete against the 2022 National Champions, Ohio State," TWU Head Coach Sara Lilly said. "This last week was not ideal with limited practice due to weather; however, the athletes rose to the occasion and put in solid swims with confidence. I am very proud of them and motivated to get some good work in before our next competition in two weeks."

In the trio competition, the Pioneers showcased three different trio teams. Placing the highest in second place, just four points off first place Ohio State, for TWU was the trio of Maribella Falconer, Candela Fidalgo Garcia and Ashley Latchford. They scored a 78.2250 to record a season-high.

The trio of Kimberly Poitras, Makayla Crichton and Haiden Long placed third at the meet with a 73.5750 to also record a season-high. Finally, swimming for the first time this season, the trio of Anaya Kashikar, Laura Klein Paredes and Ada Monteys Vinardell placed fourth out of six teams with a 68.3500.

Next, showcasing their skills in pairs, the duet of Falconer and Poitras placed third at the meet with a 70.7750. Narrowly behind them in fourth was the Pioneer duet of Regina Ramirez and Fidalgo, who scored a 70.7417.

Swimming solo for the Pioneers, Latchford, scored a season-high 78.4000 to raise her season score by four points. Additionally, Latchford just barely missed her career-high of a 78.7000 in the category. Eva Fernández-Montenegro Serrano swam her solo collegiate debut this afternoon, scoring a 59.1917.

In this competition, TWU did not swim a team routine.

Today's meet was swam in honor of Jessica Beck.

From The Ohio State Athletics Website
"Saturday's competition is named for Jessica Beck, a former Ohio State synchronized swimmer who passed away in 2005 during her senior year at Ohio State. A three-time scholar-athlete, Academic All-America and All-Big Ten honoree, Beck was committed to her community and was described as the embodiment of the value of hard work. Beck's impact on the program is still seen to this day, nearly 15 years later, as student-athletes continue to honor her presence by leaving an open space for her in their traditional huddle during Carmen Ohio."
The Pioneers will not compete again until February 17 and 18, when they will travel to Oro Valley, Arizona for the Cactus Classic Invitational hosted by USA Artistic Swimming.