ATLANTA – Georgia Tech sophomore Josh Hersko turned in a record-setting performance on the first day of competition at the Georgia Invitational. The three-day event is being held at the Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Ga.
Hersko opened the day by setting a new Georgia Tech school record in the 50-yard freestyle with his time of 21.03, which bettered his own school record set last year of 21.04. He later bettered that time, as he won the B Final with a time of 20.92.
Tech had a strong night in the 500 freestyle, as sophomore Shilo Ayalon turned in a Tech season-best time of 4:29.22 to place fourth in the A Final. He was followed in that race by Leo Salinas, who placed seventh with a time of 4:33.06. Salinas was unable to improve on his prelim time of 4:31.92 in the finals.
Freshman Ricky Rauch won the 500 freestyle B Final with his time of 4:34.25, which is a season personal best for Rauch.
In the 200 individual medley competition, rookie Chris Biedrzycki was the only Yellow Jacket to make the A Final, as he finished eight with a time of 1:53.24. Earlier in the prelims, he had a time of 1:51.95. Junior David Laitala improved his prelim time of 1:53.10 and a won the B Final of the 200 IM with a school season-best time of 1:51.20.
In relay competition, the Tech quartet of Hersko, Laitala, Jorge Oliver and Mike Comer placed seventh in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:24.64. In the 400 medley relay, Oliver, Tomonori Tsuji, Laitala and Hersko placed seventh with a season-best time of 3:23.66.
The Georgia Invitational continues tomorrow with prelim competition beginning at 10:30 a.m. and finals action getting undeway at 6:00 p.m.
