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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Members of the Virginia swimming team competed at the Charlotte Ultraswim over the week in the final opportunity to qualify for the United States Olympic Trials, set to being June 29 in Omaha, Neb. The Cavaliers had several performances at the event, highlighted by second-year Katherine McDonnell’s win in the 50-meter breaststroke.
Additionally, second-year Darren Ankosko qualified for the U.S. Trials in the 400 freestyle. Ankokso, one of 25 Cavaliers who will participate at Trials, tallied a mark of 3:59.33 to win the C’ final and finish 17th overall in the event at the Ultraswim.
McDonnell, a Culpeper, Va., native, clocked a time of 32.64 to take first-place honors in the event. In addition, she tallied the fastest time during the prelims of the 200-meter breaststroke (2:32.90) and went on to take sixth place in the finals (2:36.03). McDonnell also took 17th in the 200 IM with a time of 2:21.96.
ACC Rookie of the Year Liz Shaw placed second in the 400 IM with a time of 4:53.27. Shaw, a Richmond, Va., native, also racked up solid performances in the 200 IM (sixth, 2:21.50), 200 fly (ninth, 2:15.12), 100 fly (12th, 1:02.13) and 100 breast (12th, 1:02.13) at the Ultraswim.
Mei Christensen finished fourth in the 200 back (2:15.25) and sixth in the 100 back (1:03.04).
Jen Narum earned a fourth-place finish in the 800 free (8:49.32) while Leslie Swinley placed 18th (8:58.90). Narum also placed 11th in the 400 free (4:19.76) while Katya Bachrouche was 17th (8:58.89). Meanwhile, in the 1500 free, Swinley finished 13th (17:07.68) and Claire Galdun placed 17th (17:32.17). Jenna Harris also earned a pair of top-20 finishes, placing 14th in the 200 free (2:03.88) and 16th in the 400 free (4:25.30).
On the men’s side, U.S. national team member Ryan Hurley finished third in the 200-meter breaststroke, clocking a time of 2:19.02. Hurley also contributed a pair of fourth-place finishes in the 100 breast (1:03.65) and 50 breast (29.38). PJ Sullivan also had three top-5 finishes in the breaststroke events, placing third in the 100 breast (1:03.49), fifth in the 200 breast (2:19.18) and sixth in the 50 breast (29.57).
ACC Swimmer of the Year Matt McLean put up a trio of great finishes, highlighted by a third-place performance in the 200-meter freestyle (1:50.37). McLean also finished fifth in the 400 free (3:59.93) and 10th in the 100 free (51.40).
McLean was joined in the 200 free by Scot Robison (fifth, 1:52.43) and John Azar (ninth, 1:52.36). Robison also had top-20 performances in the 50 fly (13th, 25.65), 100 free (14th, 51.82) and 100 fly (18th, 55.69). Azar, meanwhile, placed 12th in the 200 IM with a mark of 2:08.02.
Virginia co-captain Lee Roberston a Waynesboro, Va., native, placed seventh in the 100 fly (55.42) and eighth in the 50 fly (25.27) while Pat Reams earned an eighth-place finish in the 100 fly (55.54) and a 12th-place finish in the 200 fly (2:04.22).
In the 400 IM, Pat Mellors placed sixth with a time of 4:27.96 and Ian Vogt won the consolation final to finish ninth overall (4:31.95). Tim Hayes was right behind Vogt, taking 10th (4:31.96). Vogt also recorded a sixth-place performance in the 200 fly (2:02.98) and Hayes was 11th in the 200 breast (2:21.62).
Bjorn Falk and Dan Johnson each put up solid performances in the backstroke events. Johnson led the way in the 200 back, finishing sixth (2:07.18) while Falk placed 10th (2:06.91). In the 200 back, Falk finished 14th (58.72) and Johnson was 16th (59.28).
For complete results of the Charlotte Ultraswim, click here.