HOUSTON (UNLVRebels.com) – Junior Ava Olson won the 500 free title and automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships as part of two UNLV women's swimming & diving podium finishes to open the Mountain West Championships Wednesday at CRWC Natatorium.
In a come-from-behind win, Olson broke the program record in the 500 free for the third time this season (4:43.08). Additionally, it was the school's first conference title in the event since 2012.
Contributing another podium finish, sophomore Grace Wharton earned a silver medal in the 200 IM with the second-fastest time in school history (1:58.04).
THE RUNDOWN:
- In the 1-meter dive finals, sophomore Allysse Abbott placed eighth overall with a score of 270.20 to give the Rebels 22 points.
- Joining Olson in the 500 free finals, seniors
Erika Carlson (4:51.65) and
Gina Miller (4:55.36) placed seventh and eighth, respectively.
- Ending the night's events, the Scarlet & Gray 400 medley relay 'A' team of junior
Dominika Trentkiewicz, sophomore
Brinkley Hallgren, junior Fernanda Mendez Guerra and Carlson combined for a time of 3:36.32 to place fifth overall.
QUOTABLE: "It was a great start to the meet! We're so proud of Ava being our first automatic qualifier to NCAA's. Looking forward to more great swims this week."
-UNLV Head Coach Pat Ota
UP NEXT: The championship meet picks back up Thursday with prelims at 8:30 a.m. PT and finals at 4 p.m. PT.
2026 Mountain West Women's Swimming & Diving Championships
CRWC Natatorium at the University of Houston
Houston, Texas
Wednesday, February 18
Opening Night Results
Team Scoring
1. Washington State - 292
2. San Diego State University 275.5
3. University of Nevada Las Vegas 236
4. Fresno State University 201
5. University of Nevada 200.5
6. U.S. Air Force Academy 189
7. University of Wyoming 164.5
8. Colorado State University 133.5
9. San Jose State University 121
10. Grand Canyon University 90
11. New Mexico, University of 65
Top-8 Finishes
500 Free – 1st place - 4:43.08 (Olson)
200 IM – 2nd place - 1:58.04 (Wharton)
400 Medley Relay – 5th place - 3:36.32 (Trentkiewicz, Hallgren, Mendez Guerra, Carlson)
1-meter Diving – 8th place - 297.30 (Abbott)
-UNLV-
