Hilltopper Invitational: Day Two

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, November 20. THE Western Kentucky University swimming and diving teams broke seven pool records Saturday at the Hilltopper Invitational at the Bill Powell Natatorium. Both the men's and women's teams continue the lead the team standings after the second day of competition.

"It was a very good night," WKU swimming coach Bruce Marchionda said. "We had a couple swims that almost broke school records which is very unusual when you are not rested. It was a very good night and I was very pleased with where we are at this time of the year."

The Lady Topper relay team of Hilary Mishler, Brittany Doss, Claire Donahue and Claire Alexandre kicked off the night with a first-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay with a pool-record time of 1 minute and 42.15 seconds. The Hilltoppers repeated the feat when Chris Housden, Luke Musser, Nick Slattery and Billy Kunkel turned in a pool-record time of 1:30.21 to claim first in the men's 200 medley relay.

Sophomore Alex Van Oost finished first in the 400 individual medley with a pool-record time of 4:25.35. In the 100 butterfly, Slattery (48.82) and Donahue (52.79) each set pool records. Donahue's time represents the second-fastest time in the nation this season.

Senior Brittany Doss took the top spot in the 100 breaststroke with another pool-record time of 1:03.43. Mishler wrapped up the record-breaking day for WKU with a record time of 55.53 in the 100 backstroke. The Lady Toppers claimed the top three spots in both the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke.

Other strong performances on the day included a sweep of the 200 freestyle events. Alexandre touched the wall in 1:50.91 to finish first while Kunkel placed first with at time of 1:39.41.

The Hilltoppers also picked up a pair of event wins in the 100 breaststroke and 100 backstroke. Musser turned in a time of 56.45 to claim the breaststroke event and sophomore Adam Dajka posted a time of 50.36 to lead the field in the backstroke. WKU claimed the top four spots in the 100 back.

The Lady Toppers remain atop the team standings at the end of the day with 852 points. Vanderbilt remains second with 583 points. WKU also leads the men's competition with a total of 932 points. Eastern Illinois is second with 394 points.

Sunday begins with the preliminaries in the 200 backstroke at 9:30 a.m. followed by the 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke and 200 backstroke. The men's 3-meter diving preliminaries are schedule to being at 12:15 p.m. The 1,650 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay will be featured in the evening session.

"We are hoping to finish strong on the third day when they are going to be a little bit more exhausted," Marchionda said. "So we are just looking to try to finish strong."

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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