March 30, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (UNLVRebels.com) -

A third top-16 swim in as many days, this time by sophomore Balint Batka, helped UNLV to a tie for 29th place as the 2013 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships concluded on Saturday night at the IU Natatorium. UNLV finished with 15 points as a team, tying them with North Carolina and Eastern Michigan.

Batka would claim the first honorable mention All-American performance of his career after he finished in 14th place in the 200 fly after posting a time of 1:44.92. His morning swim of 1:43.99 made him the first Rebel to go under 1:44 in the event in 23 years.

UNLV swam in two more events on the final day. In the 200 breast, junior David Szele placed 37th with a swim of 2:00.06, while classmate Giacomo Gremizzi was 40th in 2:02.76. The Rebels' 400 free relay team would finish in 19th place in a time of 2:54.76, the second-fastest in UNLV history, and was 0.54 seconds out of a top-16 spot. Making up the relay squad was freshmen Tom Paco-Pedroni and Dillon Virva, senior Cody Roberts and freshman Samuel Lameynardie.

The Rebels' 29th place finish marked the third time in the last four years UNLV has scored at the NCAA championships, and is the 12th top-30 finish in program history. Michigan won the 2013 team title with 480 points, while California was the runner-up with 406.5 points and Arizona stayed in third at 313.5.

2013 NCAA Men's Swimming & Diving Championships
IU Natatorium
Indianapolis, Ind.

Saturday, March 30
Third Day Results

Team Scoring
T-29th. UNLV -15 points

Honorable Mention All-American status
200 Fly - Balint Batka - 14th (1:44.92)

Other UNLV swims
200 Breast - David Szele - 37th (2:00.06), Giacomo Gremizzi - 40th (2:02.76)
400 Free Relay - 19th (2:54.76) - Tom Paco-Pedroni, Dillon Virva, Cody Roberts, Samuel Lameynardie