Nov. 20, 2014 COLUMBIA, Mo. - Dillon Virva's victory in the men's 50 free highlighted action for the UNLV men's and women's swimming team on Thursday night in the Mizzou Invitational. The Rebels sent 11 men and two women to this year's meet, and finished the day fourth in the standings on the men's side and ninth on the women's.
The Rebels' top event was as expected, the men's 50 free. Virva posted a winning time of 19.56, while teammate Or Sabatier placed fourth in 19.90. Also in the top 16 was Henrique Machado (10th, 20.26) and Caio Dini, 12th in 20.58, while Joesph Starkweather was 19th in the event. UNLV took runner-up honors in the day's first event, the 200 free relay, as Virva, Tom-Paco Pedroni, Sabatier and Machado notched a time of 1:18.52
In the 100 fly, Balint Batka led the way by placing sixth in 48.86. Two more scored in the event, with Avi Cohen taking 10th (49.19) and Joseph Starkweather 13th (49.97). Joe Riggert was sixth in the 500 free (4:30.52) and Boris Kulizhnikov posted an eighth-place time in the 200 IM (1:50.51).
The final event of the night was the 400 medley relay. Machado, Kulizhnikov, Virva and Paco-Pedrooni teamed up to record a time of 3:12.19, which placed them third overall in the event.
UNLV women had two swims on the night. Michelle Troup scored in the 50 free after touching the wall in 23.42. Krisitina Hendrick was 35th in the 200 IM as well.
The Rebels are back in action on Friday before concluding the meet on Saturday.