Lai Earns Silver in 3M, Lafferty Secures NCAA 'B' Cut with Fifth-Place Finish in 100 Fly

Thursday, February 27

Federal Way, Wash.

University of Kansas

Big 12 Championships

Lai Earns Silver in 3M, Lafferty Secures NCAA 'B' Cut with Fifth-Place Finish in 100 Fly

2/27/2025 11:01:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving

Results

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – The Kansas swimming and diving program was led by the duo of Shiyun Lai and Lydia Lafferty on day three of the 2025 Big 12 Championships in Federal Way, Wash.

After Thursday's session, the Jayhawks sit in eighth place with two days remaining in the competition.

"Today was a very good day for the team with several finalists and a bunch of best times," Kansas head coach Clark Campbell said. "We're definitely creating momentum each session."

Prelims kicked off the action on Thursday, with six Jayhawks advancing to the evening finals session. Lafferty (100 fly) and Lai (3M Dive) advanced to the championship finals in their respective events. Junior Hailey Farrell (400 IM), senior Eleni Kotzamanis (200 free) and junior Lize van Leeuwen (3M dive) qualified for the consolation finals, while freshman Anna Gearhart secured a spot in the C-final of the 100 fly.

Lai, who won gold in Wednesday's 1M Diving Championship, secured the top seed in the 3M dive prelims. After scoring 369.20 in the 3M championship final, she earned silver, marking her second podium finish of the championships.

Lafferty posted the second-fastest 100 fly time in school history at 53.24 and claimed fifth place in the championship final. Lafferty's lifetime best 53.24 also earned her an NCAA 'B' Cut.

Farrell placed 16th in the 400 IM consolation final with a time of 4:22.66, while Kotzamanis also finished 16th in the 200 free consolation final, clocking in at 1:48.91.

Thursday's action wrapped up with the 400 medley relay, where Kansas secured an eighth-place finish. Lezli Sisung, Ryan Johnston, Lafferty and Caroline Blake combined for a time of 3:38.26.

LIFETIME BESTS
Sophie Wallace – 100 fly (56.61)
Izzy Porter – 100 fly (55.34)
Lydia Lafferty – 100 fly (53.75)
Lydia Lafferty – 100 fly (53.24)
Ryan Johnston – 100 fly (55.97)
Anna Gearhart – 100 fly (53.92)
Hailey Farrell – 400 IM (4:21.10)
Aidan Howze – 400 IM (4:24.35)
Eleni Kotzamanis – 200 free (1:48.38)
Bradie Ward – 200 free (1:51.16)
Claire Hyatt – 50 free (23.36)

UP NEXT
Day four of the 2025 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships will begin on Friday with prelims starting at 12 p.m. CT, followed by finals at 8 p.m. CT. A full schedule of events can be found here.

HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans can catch the action live via ESPN+, while live updates will be provided on the official Kansas Women's Swimming and Diving X account.

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Arizona State – 898
2. Arizona – 632.5
3. Houston – 616
4. Utah – 477.5
5. TCU – 468
6. Cincinnati – 461
7. BYU – 449
8. KANSAS – 339
9. Iowa State – 232
10. West Virginia – 231

DAY 4 SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 28 (12 p.m. CT Prelims / 8 p.m. CT Finals)
200 Yard Butterly
100 Yard Breaststroke
100 Yard Backstroke
200 Freestyle Relay