NCAA Women’s Swim Meet : Texas’ Fetter Breaks Records

Leigh Ann Fetter of Texas broke the American and NCAA records in the 50-yard freestyle Thursday during preliminaries in the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.

The 1988 U.S. Olympian was timed in 22.10 seconds, bettering the mark of 22.13 set by Tammy Thomas of Kansas in 1983.

The Longhorn sophomore advanced into the final at the Indiana University Natatorium, where she will meet fellow Olympian Dara Torres of Florida. The two tied for first in last year’s NCAA meet in 22.38.

“I came into this meet and my goal was to break 22,” Fetter said. “This morning, we wanted to see if we could go for it right away.

“There are a few things I can work on (for the final). My coach told me it looked as if my turn was a little tight.”

Florida, Stanford and Texas, expected to battle for the team championship, were the top-seeded teams in the 200-yard medley relay.

Stanford, led by Jenna Johnson’s butterfly split of 24.02, posted a 1:42.57. Florida had an identical time, paced by Nancy Marley’s 22.41 in the freestyle leg. Texas, with Fetter swimming a 21.87 in the free, qualified at 1:43.54.