Jayhawks Look to Improve After First Day of Nationals

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Kansas duo Chelsie Miller and Haley Molden took part in the opening session of competition at AT&T Winter Nationals with a pair of swims at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington on Thursday morning.
 
Miller started the Jayhawks off with in the 200-meter individual medley, swimming in heat 5 of 8 in the second event of the morning. The Houston, Texas product turned in a time of 2:19.77 finishing 40th. Former Kansas swimmer, Danielle Herrmann, joined Miller in the field for the 200 IM. The 2009 Kansas graduate finished nine spots behind Miller with a time of 2:21.43
 
Niether of their times qualified for Thursday nights finals session, but Miller already owns an Olympic Trials qualifying time in the event. Miller will compete in three more events over the next two days.
 
Molden took to the starting blocks nearly an hour later for the 50-meter freestyle. The senior registered a time of 27.39 in the sixth heat of 11 in the event. Her time also wasn’t enough to put her in finals later this evening, and she will turn her focus to two more swims throughout the weekend.
 
Kansas will continue action Friday morning with four different Jayhawks racing. Miller will once again start the day for KU, this time in the 400-meter individual medley at 11 a.m. (Central) with Molden following in the 200-meter freestyle. Lydia Pocisk and Yulya Kuchkarova will swim in their first events of the meet on Friday. Pocisk will swim the 100-meter breaststroke, while Kuchkarova will seek a FINA qualifying time in the 100-meter backstroke.
 
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