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USC Swimming’s Claire Tuggle Finishes Second In 500y Freestyle At Big Ten Championships
February 20, 2025 | Women's Swimming & Diving
No. 12 USC women's swimming and diving turned in three A-final appearances to wrap up the first full day of competition at the Big Ten Women's Swimming and Diving Championships in Columbus, Ohio.
Junior Claire Tuggle had USC's best performance of the day, finishing second in the 500y freestyle in a career best 4:35.43. With the time, Tuggle also earned an NCAA automatic cut. During prelims, Tuggle turned in a then-career best, posting a 4:37.66.
Junior Justina Kozan posted a season best 4:39.13 in the consolation final of the 500y freestyle to win the heat and pick up 20 points for the Trojans.
Competing in the bonus final of the 200y IM, sophomores Macky Hodges (1:57.69) and Minna Abraham (1:58.04) finished second and fourth, respectively. One heat later, sophomore Ashley McMillan touched seventh in the consolation final in 1:57.82.
USC fifth year swimmer Caroline Famous posted a 22.11 during the 50y freestyle prelims to secure a spot in the championship final. Famous later returned to clock a 22.17 and finish sixth in the A-final. Vasilissa Buinaia finished sixth in the consolation final in 22.43.
The Trojans wrapped up the evening with a fourth place finish in the 200y freestyle relay as Buinaia, Famous, Hodges and Abraham combined to clock a 1:27.73.
Through two days of competition, USC sits in fifth place with 292 points. Host Ohio State leads the way with 480 points.
WEDNESDAY RECAP:
USC opened the first evening of competition with two top-five relay finishes. First, USC's 200y medley relay quartet of Caroline Famous, Kaitlyn Dobler, Minna Abraham and Vasilissa Buinaia combined to clock a 1:35.13. Later on in the evening, Abraham, Claire Tuggle, Macky Hodges and Ella Ristic finished third in 6:55.11. The quad earned silver medals and a trip to the podium with the top three finish.
Junior Claire Tuggle had USC's best performance of the day, finishing second in the 500y freestyle in a career best 4:35.43. With the time, Tuggle also earned an NCAA automatic cut. During prelims, Tuggle turned in a then-career best, posting a 4:37.66.
Junior Justina Kozan posted a season best 4:39.13 in the consolation final of the 500y freestyle to win the heat and pick up 20 points for the Trojans.
Competing in the bonus final of the 200y IM, sophomores Macky Hodges (1:57.69) and Minna Abraham (1:58.04) finished second and fourth, respectively. One heat later, sophomore Ashley McMillan touched seventh in the consolation final in 1:57.82.
USC fifth year swimmer Caroline Famous posted a 22.11 during the 50y freestyle prelims to secure a spot in the championship final. Famous later returned to clock a 22.17 and finish sixth in the A-final. Vasilissa Buinaia finished sixth in the consolation final in 22.43.
The Trojans wrapped up the evening with a fourth place finish in the 200y freestyle relay as Buinaia, Famous, Hodges and Abraham combined to clock a 1:27.73.
Through two days of competition, USC sits in fifth place with 292 points. Host Ohio State leads the way with 480 points.
WEDNESDAY RECAP:
USC opened the first evening of competition with two top-five relay finishes. First, USC's 200y medley relay quartet of Caroline Famous, Kaitlyn Dobler, Minna Abraham and Vasilissa Buinaia combined to clock a 1:35.13. Later on in the evening, Abraham, Claire Tuggle, Macky Hodges and Ella Ristic finished third in 6:55.11. The quad earned silver medals and a trip to the podium with the top three finish.
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