Stanford’s Kirk Sets World Mark

Tara Kirk of Stanford set a world record in the 100-meter breaststroke Friday during the second day of the NCAA Division I women’s championships.

Kirk was timed in 1:04.79, becoming the first woman to ever swim under 1:05 in the event. The old mark of 1:05.09 was set last year by Leisel Jones of Australia.

It was the second world record in two days in the meet. The swimmers were competing in a 25-meter pool, as opposed to 50-meter lengths they would swim in Olympic competition.

Records were set in each of the first 12 swimming events with 12 NCAA records, nine U.S. Open records, five American records and the two world records.

Auburn leads the competition with 399 points, 121 more than second-place Georgia. Arizona, California and Florida round out the top five after the second of three days.

Auburn set an NCAA and U.S. Open record of 1:49.02 in the 200 medley relay. Margaret Hoelzer had another Tiger victory with an NCAA-record time of 1:56.16 in the 200 freestyle.

USC junior Kaitlin Sandeno set an American record in the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:30.44, the fastest time in the world this year.

She broke Allison Wagner’s 1993 American record of 4:31.76, Alenka Kejzar’s 2001 NCAA record (4:33.46), Christina Teuscher’s 2000 NCAA meet record (4:33.81) and Tracy Caulkins’ 1981 U.S. Open record (4:33.44).

Natalie Coughlin of California set two meet records. She won the 100 backstroke in 57.51 and the 100 butterfly in 56.88. She holds the world record in both events.