MINNEAPOLIS – The UNLV men's and women's swimming teams broke two program records in Thursday's opening night of the Minnesota Invitational at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center.
THE RUNDOWN – WOMEN:
- Junior Ava Olson earned a ninth-place finish and took first in her heat in the 500 free, breaking the school record in the event. Originally, she broke the record in prelims with a time of 4:46.30, but went on to shatter that time in the finals with a 4:44.88.
- Sophomore Grace Wharton won the B final and placed ninth overall in the 200 IM with a time of 1:59.80.
- In the 400 medley relay, the squad of sophomore Halayna Montrichard, freshman Rachel Wigginton, junior Fernanda Mendez Guerra and senior Erika Carlson earned a fifth-place finish with a time of 3:39.28.
THE RUNDOWN – MEN:
- Senior Bryson Huey broke the program record in the 50 free with a time of 19.02 to place second overall. It surpassed the previous 10-year record (19.07) held by former Rebel Dillon Virva since 2015.
- The Rebels 400 medley relay team of junior Wikus Potgieter, sophomore Tyler Schneider, Huey and redshirt sophomore Emil Perez posted a third-place finish with a time of 3:10.57.
- Grabbing a fourth-place finish in the 200 free relay, the 'A' team of Huey (19.31), Perez (19.51), Potgieter (19.67) and senior Ian Belflower (19.41) combined for a time of 1:17.90.
QUOTABLE: "It was a great first day of competition! Ava and Bryson broke school records and we had a lot of best times. We're excited for the rest of the week."
-UNLV Head Coach Pat Ota
UP NEXT: The Rebels will continue competition at the invite on Friday. Swim prelims will begin at 8 a.m. PT, followed by diving prelims at 10 a.m. PT and will conclude with the finals at 3 p.m. PT.
-UNLV-
