University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
Day 3
Koutsouveli Wins 100-Yard Backstroke
2/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Results 
HOUSTON â€" Freshman Eleanna Koutsouveli was crowned the 100-yard backstroke conference champion on Friday night at the American Athletic Conference Championships. The Cougars had 11 different swimmers advance to finals, six posting NCAA B standard times, four podium finishes and two program records at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.
After three days of competition, Houston moves to third place with a score of 381. SMU leads the way in first with a score of 454 and Tulane is in second, 440.5.
"I couldn't be more proud of the effort this evening," said head swimming and diving coach Ryan Wochomurka. "We were able to improve on our performances from the morning almost across the board, and that pays dividends in the team battle that is heating up. We asked a lot from Eleanna Koutsouveli tonight and she delivered in spectacular fashion."
Koutsouveli had a huge night for the Cougars as the freshman won two medals, including an individual championship in the 100-yard backstroke. The Athens, Greece native captured the best time in prelims breaking Jessica Shamburger's record, 54.57, from February 26, 2009 with a time of 54.45. In finals, Koutsouveli touched the wall at 54.32, dropping .13 seconds off her preliminary time.
Koutsouveli earned her second medal in the 400-yard individual medley. She finished third overall with a time of 4:19.27 moving into the second best time in program history. Koutsouveli's time was a NCAA B standard time.
Jasmine Williams earned a spot on the podium in the 100-yard backstroke, for the junior's first conference top-three finish. The Orange Park, Fla. native's time of 55.03 moved her up the program's top-10 times to third and was a NCAA B standard time. Also in the 100-yard backstroke, teammate Jenny Penneck placed 14th in the event setting a personal record with her time of 56.27.
In the 100-yard breaststroke, Sophomore Ashley Grijalva earned her first conference medal placing third with a time of 1:01.66. Grijalva improved her program record time, which she initially broke back in November at the Phill Hansel Invitational. Teammate Cameron Balkom moved to the second best time in program history after posting a time of 1:02.16, a personal best and a NCAA B standard time. The sophomore's time placed her sixth overall. Taylor Derevyanik finished 14th in the event touching the wall at 1:05.57.
Freshman Hannah Herbst set a personal record in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:21.15, jumping up to the fourth best time in the program's records. The Scottsdale, Ariz. native placed 10th overall, finishing the B Heat in second place. Fellow Freshman Penneck placed 13th in the event with a time of 4:27.97, a personal best.
In the 100-yard butterfly, Sharo Rodriguez placed fourth touching the wall at 54.23 to take sole possession of the program's second top-10 time. The Queretaro, Mexico native's time is a NCAA B standard time. Derevyanik posted a personal best time, 55.58, finishing the B Heat in third place and 11th overall. Senior Maya Owens placed 15th in the event with a time of 56.53.
In the 200-yard freestyle, Micaela Hamrick was the top finishing Cougar, finishing fifth in Heat B with a time of 1:50.71, a personal best and 10th best time in program history. Freshman Delia Weber finished 15th in the event netting a time of 1:50.87.
The 400-yard medley relay team of Koutsouveli, Grijalva, Rodriguez and Caitlin Horner placed fourth overall. The team touched the wall at 3:41.81 a season best time.
"Tomorrow morning is a crucial session for us," Wochomurka said. "The challenge is to continue to bring the same intensity we brought tonight."
POINT EARNERS
OVERALL
1SMU â€" 454
2. Tulane â€" 440.5
3. Houston â€" 381
4. Cincinnati â€" 351
5. ECU â€" 342.5
6. UConn â€" 339
400 IM
3. Eleanna Koutsouveli â€" 4:19.27 [16]*B
10. Hannah Herbst â€" 4:21.15 [7]*
13. Jenny Penneck â€" 4:27.97 [4]*
100 Fly
4. Sharo Rodriguez â€" 54.23 [16]*B
11. Taylor Derevyanikâ€" 55.58 [6]
15. Maya Owens â€" 56.53 [2]
200 Free
13. Michaela Hamrick â€" 1:50.71 [4]
15. Delia Weberâ€" 1:50.87 [2]
100 Breast
3. Ashley Grijalva â€" 1:01.66 [16]*
6. Cameron Balkom â€" 1:02.16 [13]
100 Back
1Eleanna Koutsouveli â€" 54.32 [20]
3. Jasmine Williams â€" 55.03 [16]
14. Jenny Penneckâ€" 56.27 [3]
400 Medley Relay
4. Houston â€" 3:41.81 [28]*
Eleanna Koutsouveli, Ashley Grijalva, Sharo Rodriguez, Caitlin Horner
Program Record -^
Personal Best -*
NCAA B-Cut - B
UP NEXT
The American Championships continue with the final day of the four-day meet. The AAC Championships have six more events Saturday. Swimming preliminaries begin at 10 am, followed by diving at 12:30 pm. The finals session starts at 6 pm. A complete schedule and links to live video streaming can be found at The American's Championships Central Page.
COUGARS TO HOST AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Houston will host the American Athletic Conference Championships for the first time as the best swimmers and divers in the league visit the CRWC from Feb. 17-20. Following the conference meet, the Cougars will look to close the season at the NCAA Championships, to be held March 17-19 in Atlanta.
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in University of Houston Cougar athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonAthletics), Twitter (@UHCougars), Instagram (houstoncougars) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/UHAthletics). In addition, the swimming & diving team has established its own official Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonCougarSwimmingDiving) and Twitter pages (@UHCougarSwim), which provide regular updates on the team and live results during home meets.
--UHCougars.com--
Players Mentioned
