Lydia Jacoby

Seward swimmer Lydia Jacoby continues to compete against herself when it comes to the 100-yard breaststroke.

The 18-year-old Olympic gold medalist broke her own 17-18 national age-group record over the weekend when the University of Texas freshman posted a winning time of 57.45 seconds, lowering her previous personal best of 57.54 set earlier this season.

Jacoby posted an even faster time of 57.13 during the second leg in the medley relay.

The Alaskan picked up a total of three victories for the No. 2-ranked Longhorns during a weekend sweep of No. 4 North Carolina State at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.

She also won the 200 breaststroke and was part of a winning 400 medley relay team.

In the 100 breaststroke, Jacoby’s new personal record of 57.45 ranks No. 3 nationally, passing Texas teammate Anna Elendt. Jacoby came to Austin with a PB of 58.87 and has sliced 1.42 seconds off that mark since arriving on campus.

In the 400 medley relay, the Texas team touched the wall with a NCAA season-best 3:25.29 to break a school record of 3:25.96, set at the Minnesota Invitational in December.

The difference was Jacoby, who replaced Elendt on the medley relay a month ago and joined Olivia Bray, Emma Sticklen and Kelly Pash in the record book.

Jacoby’s split of 57.13 is faster than her individual time, in part because swimmers get a rolling start beside the initial leg of the relay.

Seward’s Lydia Jacoby (left) and the nation’s No. 1-ranked 400-yard medley relay team.

Additional Article Sponsors:
Advanced Diagnostics, INC, Aspen Endodontics