December 20, 1998

LAS VEGAS -

The Rebels competed for the third straight day with some of the top international performers in the annual Winter Invite at Buchanan Natatorium on the UNLV campus. One day after setting an American record in the 100 backstroke (52.55), 16-year old Natalie Coughlin cruised to first place in both the 200 butterfly (1:56.26) and the 400 IM (4:09.97). 1996 Olympian Amanda Beard edged out her Nova Club Team teammate Stacianna Stitts to capture the 100 breast, clocking a time of 1:02.27. Former Rebel, and current Canadian National Team member, Mike Mintenko finished with a time of 1:38.63 and first place in the 200 freestyle.

Top finishes for the Rebels included Andrew Livingston's second place finish in the 200 butterfly (1:51.08) and Erik Scalise and Petr Kratochvil's second (3:58.31) and third (4:02.07) place results in the 400 individual medley. Bobby Middleton also swam to a third place finish with his time of 56.17 in the 100 breast, and Tomasz Piotrowski earned a fifth place finish in the 200 freestyle. The women's team was highlighted by Kelly Goddard's third place result in the 50 free with a personal best 24.44. Freshman Erica Korb finished seventh in the 100 breast, as she clocked 1:05.92. Also qualifying for the championship heat and finishing eighth was Janel Frei in the 400 IM with her time of 4:29.31.

The Winter Invite concludes Monday as the meet begins with prelims at 9:00am and finals at 5:00pm. Natalie Coughlin will once again vie for an American record, this time in the 200 back.