Trojans Rewrite Record Book During Friday Finals at MVC Championships

In the women's 200-yard butterfly, the Trojans were represented in the A Final and the C Final. Nelanee Fulton competed in the A Final and finished seventh with a time of 2:03.75. In the C Final, Lulu Szumski placed 21st (2:09.76) and Niamh Carroll followed in 23rd (2:10.43).

Little Rock continued to score in the women's 100-yard breaststroke with multiple finals appearances. Adara Stoddard led the way in the A Final, placing fifth in 1:02.47. In the B Final, Gabriella O'Neil finished 11th (1:04.38) and Paige Pala finished 16th (1:06.40). Duru Sibik represented the Trojans in the C Final, placing 22nd (1:08.13).

The highlight individual swim of the night came in the women's 100-yard backstroke. Freshman Amara Addison placed third in the A Final with a time of 54.78, setting a new Little Rock school record and becoming the first Trojan to dip under 55 seconds in the event. Beatriz Comini Romero added points in the B Final with a ninth-place finish (55.91), while Ava Walters (56.64) and Katherine Rasmussen (57.89) competed in the C Final.

In the final event of the evening, the women's 800-yard freestyle relay, Little Rock capped the session with another school record and a podium finish. The team of Beatriz Comini Romero, Gabriella O'Neil, Megan Stewart, and Olivia Elgin touched in 7:16.81 to place third overall and break the program record. Elgin's anchor leg was a defining moment, as she split 1:46.65, the fastest 200-yard freestyle split in Trojan history.

"It's honestly hard to put today into words. From the very first session this morning, our team stepped up in a major way. Nearly everyone earned a second swim and came back tonight ready to compete. That says a lot about this group and the work they've put in since August.

Finals were incredible… tons of season bests, lifetime bests, and multiple school records. And to cap it off with a massive performance in the 800 free relay and another bronze medal!? That was the perfect way to end the night.

I'm incredibly proud of this team and everything they've accomplished so far. We've got one day left and everyone knows what Saturdays are: Saturdays are for the Trojans.

Let's finish this thing," said Head Coach Nathan Townsend.

Following Friday's finals, Little Rock sits in sixth place overall in the team standings as the Trojans head into the final day of competition at the MVC Championships.

1650y Freestyle - Women
1650y Freestyle - Men
200y Backstroke - Women
200y Backstroke - Men
100y Freestyle - Women
100y Freestyle - Men
200y Breaststroke - Women
200y Breaststroke - Men
3-Meter Diving - Women
400y Freestyle Relay - Women
400y Freestyle Relay - Men

Standings after Day 2:

1. Southern Illinois - 875
2. Indiana State - 854
3. Missouri State - 796.5
4. UIC - 731.5
5. Northern Iowa - 629
6. Little Rock - 623
7. Illinois State - 475
8. Evansville - 242
9. Valparaiso - 185

For the latest information on Little Rock Swimming and Diving, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockSwim on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

#LittleRocksTeam