The Western Kentucky University swimming and diving team began the Hilltopper Open on a high note, as five pool records fell on Thursday night.
Senior Heitor Rodrigues got things started, as his lead leg of the men’s 200 free relay went down as a new Bill Powell Natatorium record. Junior Allie Duff then posted a time of 55.08 for a new top time in the 100 back. Freshman Celia Ouellette took down the 50 free record of Claire Donahue set in 2010 with a time of 23.44.
Both the women’s and men’s 200 free relay team also had new pool times recorded as fastest times. Ouellette, freshman Maggie Patterson, senior Natalie Lenderman and junior Paige Drazga finished in 1:34.29, breaking their own record 1:34.44 set in October. Rodrigues, sophomore Aymeric Le Corno, junior Tyler Groneck and freshman Christian Aragona stopped the clock at 1:22.36, barely beating out the previous record of 1:22.38.
Junior Ashley Forsyth took the fastest time in the 500 free at 4:54.21 while junior Jesse Musser had the top time in the men’s event at 4:31.92. Duff finished first in the 200 IM in 2:05.81 while Rodrigues also won the 50 free.
WKU closed out the day with wins in each of the 400 medley relays.
Friday’s competition gets started at 10:30 a.m. with prelims followed by all the diving events at 1:30 p.m. and swim finals at 6:30 p.m. Saturday wraps up the Hilltopper Open with prelims at 9:30 a.m. and finals at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free while the pool is located in the Raymond B. Preston Health and Activities Center.
For more information on WKU swimming and diving, visit WKUSports.com or follow the team on Twitter via @WKUSwimDive and @WKUSwimInfo and on Facebook with WKU Swimming and Diving.
This release was provided to SwimSwam courtesy of WKU Swimming and Diving.