7/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
July 2, 2016
OMAHA, Neb. (UNLVRebels.com) -
Dillon Virva came up short in his bid to become the first-ever UNLV swimmer to make the U.S. Olympic team, as he finished in eighth place in the finals of the 50 meter free on Saturday night at the 2016 Olympic Trials, which is being held this week at the CenturyLink Center Omaha.
Though he missed out on a trip to Rio for this year's Summer Olympics, Virva will go down in UNLV history as just one of two Rebels to have ever posted a top-eight finish at the Olympic Trials. He joins Bart Pippenger, who turn in a pair of fifth place finishes in the 200m fly in 1988 and 1992, and a fourth-place swim (100m fly) in 1988.
Virva had a quick start off the blocks and was among the leaders briefly before fading behind the pack near the midway mark. His final time of 22.40 ties for the second-best of his career, which he first set on Friday morning in the preliminaries that allowed him to reach the night semifinal round. In that round, he had the sixth-fastest swim, 22.06, to earn a spot in Saturday's final heat.
American record holder Nathan Adrian won the event, narrowly out-touching 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Ervin 21.51 to 21.52.
A native of Nevada City, Calif., Virva recently completed his eligibility for UNLV after an outstanding four-year career, which included a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in the 50 yard free this past March.
UNLV at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials
Saturday, July 2nd
Omaha, Neb.
Players Mentioned
Fly/Free
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