Little Rock Makes Statement on Day One at House of Champions

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Little Rock swimming and diving workforce opened the House of Champions Invitational with a robust exhibiting Thursday evening, highlighted by a school-record swim and a number of championship last appearances. The Trojans confirmed depth and composure in opposition to a aggressive subject contained in the IU Natatorium.

“It’s a strong start for the Trojans here at the House of Champions. I feel like we had some of the most competitive finishes we’ve ever had at this meet. We even picked up our first individual win with Megan Stewart’s school-record performance in the 200 IM. Today really set the tone for the rest of the weekend, and I’m looking forward to carrying that momentum into Friday.” stated Nathan Townsend.

Little Rock opened the finals session within the 200-yard freestyle relay with a robust workforce effort. The quartet of Lena Nikolaeva, Amara Addison, Gabriella O’Neil and Olivia Elgin delivered a composed and aggressive race, ending with a finals time of 1:32.26. The relay set the tone early for an brisk evening of racing and established momentum for the Trojans as they moved into particular person occasions.

The 50-yard backstroke proved to be one in all Little Rock’s strongest occasions of the evening. Amara Addison delivered a breakout efficiency within the championship last, touching the wall in 25.34 to assert second place total. Gabriella O’Neil adopted with a robust swim within the comfort last, recording a time of 26.38. Lulu Szumski added a finals look of her personal within the C last with a time of 27.01, whereas Katherine Rasmussen closed out the occasion for Little Rock with a 27.09 in the identical warmth.

In the ladies’s 500-yard freestyle Olivia Elgin represented the Trojans within the championship last and recorded a finals time of 4:54.58. Lyla Roper additionally returned for the finals and posted a 5:05.17 efficiency within the C last, including one other strong swim for Little Rock within the distance occasion..

In the 200-yard particular person medley, Little Rock positioned a number of swimmers into finals and delivered one of many strongest total occasion showings of the evening. Megan Stewart headlined the efficiency by profitable the championship last and setting a brand new Little Rock college report with a finals time of two:01.02. Anna Nishizaki additionally competed within the championship last and recorded a finals time of two:05.37. Adara Stoddard returned for the comfort finals and touched the wall in 2:08.66, whereas Lulu Szumski rounded out the Trojan finals swimmers with a 2:06.16 efficiency within the D last.

Little Rock carried its momentum into the dash freestyle occasions, inserting a number of swimmers into the finals of the 50-yard freestyle. Lena Nikolaeva delivered a standout championship finals efficiency with a time of 23.03, whereas Gabriella O’Neil adopted intently behind with a 23.33 in the identical warmth. Amara Addison added one other finals look for the Trojans with a robust 23.72 within the comfort last, rounding out a robust evening of dash performances.

The Trojans closed the night within the 400-yard medley relay with one other sturdy exhibiting. The workforce of Amara Addison, Adara Stoddard, Megan Stewart and Olivia Elgin mixed for a finals time of three:43.71, wrapping up the primary evening of competitors with a assured and cohesive relay effort.

“It felt great to race and be surrounded by such a positive atmosphere on the pool deck. I’m excited for the rest of the weekend!” stated freshman Nelanee Fulton.

no Team Standings After Day One

1. Ball State University – 755.50

2. Illinois, University of Chicago – 708.50

3. Missouri State University – 583.50

4. Little Rock – 524.50

5. Milwaukee Panthers – 479.50

6. IU Indianapolis – 437

7. Lynn University – 334.50

8. Butler University – 265

9. Saint Louis University – 235

10. University of Southern Indiana – 175

11. Lewis University – 124 

12. University of Montevallo – 120

13. Northern Kentucky University – 116

14. Kenyon College – 48

For the newest data on Little Rock Swimming & Diving, go to LRTrojans.com and comply with the workforce on social media at @LittleRockSwim.

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