USA Swimming Sectionals, Gresham: DU Hilltoppers Take Over Team Lead

GRESHAM, Oregon, July 25. BEHIND wins from Robert Barrett and Kyle Milberg, the University of Denver Hilltoppers have surged into the lead at the Western Sectionals at the Mount Hood Aquatic Center.

The women's 100m free final came down to the touch, with Bearcat's Tori Simenec getting the better of Gold Medal's Leticia Lelli, 56.83 to 56.88. Scottsdale's Victoria Toris, the top seed for tonight's final, came in third at 57.47. In the men's race, Adam Kalms of Wyoming Aquatics posted the only time under 51 seconds with a winning time of 50.85. Christopher Pickard of the Arizona Marlins finished a close second in 51.04, while Corvallis Aquatics' Logan Storie rounded out the top three finishers in 51.83.

In the women's 200m breast, Gold Medal's Briana Jurries cut almost three seconds off her prelim time and finished almost four seconds ahead of anyone else with a 2:33.81. Mari Loftness of the DU Hilltoppers grabbed second in 2:37.72, while Kaitlyn Kleppelid of the Helena Lions touched third (2:38.00). At least five swimmers had a chance to win the men's 200m breast at the final turn, with only .7 separating first from fifth. DU Hilltopper teammates Robert Barrett and Tanner Krall pulled away down the stretch, with Barrett touching first in 2:20.43 and Krall second in 2:20.54. Gabriel Rooker of Tualatin Hills claimed third in 2:21.28.

YMCA Westside's Amy Bilquist had a monster swim in the women's 200m back, dropping four seconds from this morning to crush the field in 2:14.68. Wyoming's Jordan Denny finished three seconds back in 2:17.89, while Wild West's Samantha Harding rounded out the top three in 2:18.77. The final of the men's 200m back was as close at it can possibly get, as DU Hilltoppers' Kyle Milberg and North Jeffco's Nolan Tesone tied for the top spot in matching 2:03.46s. Milberg made up almost seven tenths on the last length to pull even. Milberg's teammate, Carter Griffin, took third in 2:03.74.

Tualatin Hills' Michelle Cefal swam a dominant race in the women's 200m fly, winning by nearly four seconds in 2:13.63. Fort Collins' Bailey Nero took second in 2:17.58, while Scottsdale's Kacey Milligan wound up third in 2:18.36. The men's title went to North Jeffco's Andrew Torres, who hit the touchpads in 2:01.17. Arizona Marlins' Christopher Pickard earned another medal tonight with a second place effort of 2:03.41, while Gold Medal's Andrew Schultz was third (2:03.72).

Through the men's 200m fly, the University of Denver Hilltoppers lead the team standings with 348 points, ahead of Phoenix Swim Club (186) and North Jeffco (182.5).

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