INDIANPOLIS - Freshman Reka Gyorgy finished eighth overall in the A final of the 400 IM to earn All-American honors at the 2017 NCAA Championships on Friday evening. Senior Jessica Hespeler earned honorable mention All-American status after placing 13th in the 200 free.
Gyorgy, who swam a 4:07.37 in the finals, is the first H2Okie to All-American in the 400 IM since Erika Hajnal finished eighth in 2010. Hespeler registered a finals time of 1:44.48.
“We are very happy for Jess to earn that Honorable Mention All-American award. She has had such an incredible career for us and this is a true memorable accomplishment,” said head coach Ned Skinner. “Reka showed why she was the ACC champion today. Just a freshman, she is a real talent and awesome competitor. We plan to finish strong tomorrow.”
Seeded ninth in the event, Gyorgy earned a top eight spot in the prelims with a seventh place time of 4:05.87 in the prelims. Hespeler nearly matcher her seed time in the 200 free prelims where she placed 12th with a time of 1:44.46.
Competing in her first national meet, freshman Chloe Hicks swam a 53.89 in the 100 back prelims. Junior Klaudia Nazieblo shaved three seconds off her seed time with a 4:12.65 in the prelims of the 400 IM.
The final day of NCAAs begins tomorrow with the prelims of the 200 back.