OMAHA, Neb. – Three Virginia swimmers advanced to finals at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials on Thursday night.

The fifth day started with the women’s 100-meter freestyle, featuring UVA’s Kate Douglass and incoming freshman Gretchen Walsh. Douglass was eighth in 54.62 to advance to the semifinals. Walsh finished 28th in 55.91.

Douglass continued her success at trials, advancing to the 100-meter freestyle finals that will be held on Friday night, finishing seventh in 54.14.

Another incomer for the Cavaliers, Jack Aikins, finished third in the men’s 200-meter backstroke prelims with a time of 1:57.57. Aikins advanced to the finals on Friday night with a 1:57.50 in the semifinals to finish fifth.

Sean Conway swam two events in the prelims on Thursday. Conway started his day finishing 32nd in the men’s 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:02.28. He followed that with the men’s 200-meter individual medley, finishing 34th in 2:03.25.

The night concluded with Ella Nelson advancing to the women’s 200-meter breaststroke finals. Nelson had the second-fastest time in prelims, clocking in at 2:25.35 to make the semifinals. Anna Keating also made the semifinals, finishing ninth in the 200 breast. She just missed the finals, placing 11th in the semifinals in a time of 2:27.87. Nelson improved on her time in the semifinals with a 2:24.80 to place fourth and advance to the finals.

 

Results

Women’s 100m freestyle

Prelims:  8th – Kate Douglass – 54.62; 28th – Gretchen Walsh – 55.91

Semifinals: 7th – Kate Douglass – 54.14

 

Men’s 200m backstroke

Prelims: 3rd – Jack Aikins – 1:57.57; 32nd – Sean Conway – 2:02.28

Semifinals: 5th – Jack Aikins – 1:57.50

 

Women’s 200m breaststroke

Prelims: 2nd – Ella Nelson – 2:25.35; 9th – Anna Keating – 2:28.65

Semifinals: 4th – Ella Nelson – 2:24.80; 11th – Anna Keating – 2:27.87

 

Men’s 200m individual medley

Prelims: 34th – Sean Conway – 2:03.25

 

Friday’s Events (Potential UVA Swimmers)

Prelims/Semifinals

Women’s 800 Free – Maddie Donohoe, Paige Madden, Emma Weyant

Men’s 100 Fly

Women’s 200 Back – Alex Walsh, Emma Weyant

 

Finals

Women’s 200 Breast – Ella Nelson

Men’s 200 Back

Men’s 200 Medley

Women’s 100 Free –Kate Douglass