H2Okie women conclude first day at NCAA Championships

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Virginia Tech women’s swimming & diving teams concluded the first day of competition at the NCAA Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center on Thursday. The H2Okies competed in four events on the day.

Sophomore Fiona Donnelly highlighted the competition for the H2Okies, breaking her own school record in the 200 IM with a time of 1:58.06. She finished the event in 27th. In the same event, junior Mackenzie Stewart placed 69th with a time of 2:02.34.

Sophomore Jessica Hespeler competed in the 500 free, clocking in at 4:45.75 for 40th. Hespeler later joined sophomores Klaudia Nazieblo and Maggie Gruber and junior Weronika Paluszek in the 400 medley relay, where Tech’s team finished 25th with a time of 3:35.61.

In the 1-meter diving prelims, senior Kelli Stockton scored 259.20 for 39th. Last year’s bronze-medal winner, senior Kaylea Arnett, had to scratch from the event.

Tech will be back in action Friday morning for preliminary competition. Swimming prelims will begin at 11 a.m. with diving at 1:45.

Tech will compete in the first race of the morning, the 200 medley relay, before Donnelly races in the 400 IM. Gruber will battle in the 200 fly, and Hespeler in the 200 free before Paluszek and Stewart both race in the 100 breast. In the 100 back, Nazieblo and Gruber will race before the 800 free relay team takes the pool.

The 3-meter diving competition will feature three Tech divers: Arnett, Stockton and Ashley Buchter.

ESPN3 will carry the finals on Friday and Saturday, with Sam Gore on play-by-play and Rowdy Gaines and Cynthia Potter providing commentary. GoPack.com will stream all other sessions here.

Live results for swimming will be available here and for diving, here.

Host information, including parking, hotel, dining and schedule information can be here.

Individual Results:
27th - Fiona Donnelly - 200 IM (1:58.06)
39th - Kelli Stockton - 1-meter (259.20)
40th - Jessica Hespeler - 500 free (4:45.75)
69th - Mackenzie Stewart - 200 IM (2:02.34)

Relay Results:
25th - 400 Medley Relay (3:35.61) - Nazieblo, Gruber, Paluszek, Hespeler