LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV men's and women's swimming and diving teams reached their "Unlock The Block" Challenge goals in the sixth annual Rebels Give fundraising campaign on Thursday, March 21.

The programs unlocked eight generous donors' $2,500 challenge commitments to finish No. 1 across all UNLV campus units and UNLV Athletics with 253 gifts received from 222 donors for a total amount raised of $44,125. With the successful campaign, Jim Reitz Pool will be outfitted with eight new state-of-the-art Myrtha starting blocks, accounting for one new starting block per lane inside Buchanan Natatorium.

QUOTABLE: "You did it! It was such a humbling experience yesterday to feel the investment of so many people in the betterment of Rebel swimming and diving. This has been a huge project, and the fact that parents, alumni, athletes and staff all came together to get this project funded is just amazing. We also give a huge thank you of course to our challenge donors. They really set this whole thing in motion. But every single gift yesterday made a difference, and I couldn't be more proud to lead this amazing program. Thank you!"
-UNLV Head Coach Ben Loorz