By Emma Gresser, Swimming World College Intern
It has been 11 years since the University of Tulane sent a swimmer to the NCAAs. After current head coach Katie Robinson was instated on May 2, 2013, the program began a new era. Then-freshman Mia Schachter came to Tulane from Arroyo Grande, California in 2013, and she came ready to make waves. Little did the coach-athlete pair know two years later a few swims could change program history.
“We are thrilled to have Mia make it to NCAAs. She has waited a long time to make this meet. As a program, this is a step in the right direction to continue to place our swimmers at the NCAA Championship meet,” comments Tulane Head Coach Katie Robinson, a four-time NCAA qualifier herself.
Junior Schachter has been invited to participate in the 2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships after swimming a school record time of 1:00.24 in the 100 breaststroke at the Pearland Invitational on Nov. 22. In addition, she captured a school record and NCAA B cut time in the 50 freestyle (22.90). At the AAC Championships, Schachter took down the 100 freestyle school record and grabbed the NCAA B cut with her 49.68.
Schachter has unquestionably made a statement in the AAC swimming and diving community throughout the 2014-2015 season. She was given AAC Swimmer of the Week honors the week of Nov. 25 after outstanding performances at the Pearland Invitational.
“Going into the AAC, we knew it was going to be very challenging at the top end but we were pleasantly surprised,” shared Robinson. “We had a lot of top eight qualifiers and had a great start.”
Schachter was given 2015 AAC All-Conference Team honors in the 100 freestyle, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay as she was a major force behind Tulane’s fourth place finish at the AAC Championships.
Shortly after the Green Wave returned to New Orleans, Louisiana, Schachter was back in the water doing double practices.
“The week after conference we kicked up the volume to get back in shape,” Robinson said. “Next week we will do singles until we leave for the meet.”
The NCAA Championship will take place from March 19-21 in Greensboro, North Carolina at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. ESPN3.com will stream finals sessions live over the final two days of the meet. Thursday’s session with Friday and Saturday’s morning sessions will be streamed live at www.NCAA.com. ESPNU will air a two-hour delayed broadcast at 5 p.m. (CDT) on Tuesday, March 31. Championship live-results will be available on www.NCAA.com.
Congratulations Mia