Feb. 28, 2002
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Led by junior Shilo Ayalon’s performance in the 500-yard freestyle, the Georgia Tech men’s swimming and diving team eclipsed three school records in Friday’s preliminary session of the ACC Championships at the University of Maryland’s Campus Recreation Center Natatorium. Finals begin tonight at 7 p.m.
Ayalon’s time of 4:21.38, the second fastest of the day, eclipsed his own school record and also met the NCAA “B” qualifying standard.
Senior also David Laitala bettered his own school record in the 200 IM, posting a time of 1:48.38, also meeting the NCAA “B” standard. He advances to tonight’s final with the third fastest time in the preliminary round.
The third record to fall Thursday was courtesy of senior Josh Hersko in the 50 free. His time of 20.70 was good for 14th place and a spot in the consolation final. Sophomore Mike Comer also eclipsed the record, posting a time of 20.73 to place 15th. He will also swim in the consolation final.
Senior Leo Salinas was close behind Ayalon in the 500 free, posting the third fastest time, a NCAA provisional mark of 4:24.09. Freshman Matt Figh clocked the seventh-best time, as all three will advance to tonight’s final.
Sophomores Itai Eden and Eduardo Oliver qualified 10th and 12th, respectively, and will swim in tonight’s consolation final. Tech swimmers posted five of the top 12 times in the 500 free Thursday morning.
Other strong swims came from sophomore Chris Biedrzycki, who ranked 11th in the 200 IM with a NCAA “B” cut of 1:50.20, senior Carl Nylander, who was 17th in the same event, and sophomore Brendan Forbes, who was 18th in 50 free.
Biedrzycki advances to the consolation final, while Nylander and Forbes will swim in bonus consolation finals.
The first 16 finishers in each event score points, while the top three individual finishers and top relay earn All-ACC honors.
Action resumes with tonight’s finals and continues Friday and Saturday with prelims at 11 a.m. and finals at 7 p.m.
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