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 - 275.5
3. UNLV - 236
4. Fresno State - 201
5. UNR - 200.5
6. Air Force - 189
7. Wyoming - 164.5
8. Colorado State - 133.5
9. San Jose State - 121
10. Grand Canyon - 90
11. New Mexico - 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-
