Photo Courtesy: Mike Comer\/ProSwimVisuals.com<\/p>\n
CHRISTIANBURG \u2013 Kristian Gkolomeev had jaws on the floor when the waves calmed down in the 50 free final at the Virginia Tech Invitational, posting the fastest 50 freestyle time so far this collegiate season \u2013 and nearly breaking the 19-second barrier.<\/p>\n
Gkolomeev, the reigning co-champion in the event alongside Arizona\u2019s Brad Tandy, continued to show that his NCAA title swim was no fluke. The Alabama sophomore posted an astounding 19.11 in the final, putting him two tenths ahead of Caeleb Dressel\u2019s 19.31 from the Georgia Tech Invite that was likely swum at the same moment. Gkolomeev and Tandy tied with times of 18.95 last March, so Gkolomeev got within striking distance of his lifetime best.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the session, Gkolomeev led off Alabama\u2019s winning 200 free relay with a 19.33. That split helped the Crimson Tide win the relay in 1:18.47, but it missed the NCAA automatic qualifying time of 1:18.02. Alex Gray (19.77), Luke Kaliszak (20.10) and Brett Walsh (19.27) also contributed to the relay win. Virginia Tech took second and third in the race, with the \u201cA\u201d team placing second with a 1:19.12 and the \u201cB\u201d team third in 1:20.79.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s 200 free relay turned out in similar fashion, with Alabama beating two Virginia Tech squads. The Tide took first with a 1:30.95, with Virginia Tech\u2019s \u201cA\u201d team placing second with a 1:31.69 and the \u201cB\u201d team third with a 1:32.89.<\/p>\n
Fiona Donnelly nearly beat the \u201cA\u201d cut of 1:58.13 in the 200 IM, winning with a 1:58.67 that puts the Virginia Tech sophomore third in the collegiate rankings with a new school record. Donnelly led a Hokie 1-2-3 finish, with Klaudia Nazbielo second with a 2:00.45 and Holly Harper third with a 2:01.41.<\/p>\n
Jessica Hespeler gave Virginia Tech another win tonight, taking the 500 free title with a 4:46.86. Emily Mayo got Villanova on the podium with a 4:47.56 for second place, while Victoria Mitchell of South Carolina took third with a 4:48.34.<\/p>\n
In the women\u2019s 50 free, William & Mary took first and third, with Megan Howard taking the title with a 22.74 and Jaimie Miller placing third with a 23.26. Between them for second place was Meredith Vay of South Carolina with a 23.20.<\/p>\n
Virginia Tech closed out the women\u2019s meet with a win in the 400 medley relay in a time of 3:39.33. Alabama settled for second with a 3:39.74 while Virginia Tech\u2019s \u201cB\u201d team was third with a 3:41.53.<\/p>\n
South Carolina won two events on the men\u2019s side. Marwal El Kamash took the 500 free in a close battle with Virginia Tech\u2019s Michal Szuba, 4:20.82 to 4:21.04. Well back in third was South Carolina\u2019s Tom Peribonio with a 4:23.71.<\/p>\n
In a 200 IM final that featured swimmers from South Carolina and Virginia Tech, Kevin Leithold won the event for the Gamecocks with a 1:47.16, while Virginia Tech\u2019s Brandon Fiala settled for second with a 1:47.55 after turning even with Leithold after breaststroke. Owen Burns of Virginia Tech was third with a 1:47.86 after leading for 150 yards.<\/p>\n
With Gkolomeev\u2019s 42.02 freestyle split, Alabama handily won the 400 medley relay with a 3:11.16. Virginia Tech was second in 3:12.06 while Alabama\u2019s \u201cB\u201d team took third with a 3:13.81.<\/p>\n