COLUMBUS, Ohio — Georgia finished 10th in the 800-yard freestyle relay to open the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships on Wednesday at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.

The Lady Bulldogs’ quartet of Veronica Burchill, Courtney Harnish, Kylie Stewart and Meaghan Raab posted a time of 6:56.78. Georgia’s seed time before the NCAAs was 6:58.58.

“We went faster than we’ve gone all season, and that’s always the goal at the NCAAs,” said Jack Bauerle, Georgia’s Tom Cousins Swimming and Diving Head Coach. “This meet is off and running. It’s going to get going in earnest on Thursday, and we’re looking forward to the challenge. This will be a tough, fast, competitive meet, and we’ve got to be ready every time we step behind the blocks. Every point is going to matter in this one.”

Stanford secured the opening-day lead as it placed first with a time of 6:46.93, followed by Michigan in 6:50.03 and California in 6:50.83.

The NCAAs will continue on Thursday with the 500 freestyle, the 200 individual medley, the 50 freestyle, 1-meter springboard diving, and the 200 freestyle and 400 medley relays. Swimming prelims are set for 10 a.m, followed by diving prelims at 12:30 p.m. and finals at 6 p.m.