AUSTIN, Texas – The Northern Arizona swimmers totaled two NCAA 'B' cut times Wednesday night during a light start to the Texas Invitational at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. Swimming in the 200 butterfly time trial, senior Alina Staffeldt and junior Andrea Schmidt clocked season-best times to highlight the first day of competition.
 
"For Andrea to post a lifetime-best and Alina to finish the race the way she did, that's why we came here," said head coach Andy Johns. "We're looking forward to everyone getting an opportunity to race tomorrow and I think we're going to see some good things."
 
Staffeldt posted her second-fastest 200 fly time of her career at 1:58.91 during the time trial. Meanwhile, Schmidt went under two minutes for the first time of her career, clocking a career-best time of 1:59.50 while improving on her hold of the third spot on NAU's all-time performance list. The 'B' standard time is the first of Schmidt's career.
 
Freshman Niamh McDonagh also swam in the 200 fly time trial, recording a season-best time of 2:03.18.
 
To start the first night in Austin, the Lumberjacks posted a time of 7:25.70 in the 800 freestyle relay. Senior Kimmy Richter, freshman Sam Milewski, freshman Elisa Rodriguez and redshirt junior Monique King comprised the relay squad.
 
"The relay was a good start to the night; it wasn't our best by any stretch, but it was a good solid swim," Johns said. "We were right next to USC, but that's part of why we're here. We want to learn how to do our own racing. We'll see some better things tomorrow from three of them in the 500 (freestyle) and a better 50 (freestyle) from Elisa."
 
The action ramps up on Thursday with prelims for the 500 free, 200 individual medley and 50 free starting at 9 a.m. MST. Finals for the three individual events, along with the 200 free relay and 400 medley relay, will begin at 5 p.m. MST.