OCALA, FL. –
Little Rock continued its strong showing at the National Invitational Championship on Friday, turning in a record-setting day in both the morning time trials and evening finals as the Trojans built even more momentum heading into the final day of competition.
The Trojans opened the day with several standout performances in the morning time trials. Nelanee Fulton swam the second-fastest 100 butterfly in program history with a time of 56.74. Anna Nishizaki delivered a huge drop in the 200 backstroke, touching in 2:06.94 after entering with a previous personal best of 2:14.39. Lena Nikolaeva posted the second-fastest 100 individual medley time of her career at 59.39, while Beatriz "BiBi" Comini Romero broke the one-minute barrier in the event for the first time with a 59.71.
In the evening session, Little Rock got off to a fast start in the 200 medley relay, finishing 17th overall in 1:42.44. Amara Addison led off the relay, followed by Adara Stoddard on breaststroke, Olivia Elgin on butterfly and Lena Nikolaeva on the freestyle anchor.
Megan Stewart set the tone in the individual events by qualifying for the A final of the 400 individual medley. Stewart lowered her prelims time again in the evening and finished ninth overall in 4:18.79, giving the Trojans another major result on the national stage.
Olivia Elgin followed with another record-setting performance in the 200 freestyle. In the morning prelims, Elgin reset her own school record and earned the top seed heading into the A final with a 1:47.42. She returned in the evening and placed eighth overall, finishing just off her own record.
The night closed with a strong effort in the 800 freestyle relay as the team of Beatriz Comini Romero, Gabriella O'Nell, Megan Stewart and Olivia Elgin finished 11th overall in 7:22.03, improving their position and capping off an exhilarating second day for the Trojans.
Little Rock head coach Nathan Townsend praised the team's effort and the history they continue to make at the meet.
"Coming into this meet, our program had only ever had two A-finalists in its history. This morning we matched that with outstanding performances from Megan Stewart and Olivia Elgin," said Townsend. "Olivia also put together a huge swim in prelims, breaking her own school record and earning the top seed heading into tonight's final.
"We also had some really strong relay performances, moving up several spots and scoring more points than we ever have before. It was even our first time swimming the 800 free relay at this meet, and that group turned in a great result with a high finish.
"Through just the first two days of competition, we've already surpassed our previous program record for total points scored at this meet, which is a huge testament to the effort and competitiveness of this group.
"I'm incredibly proud of how our ladies fought today and the way they continue to represent the Trojans.
"We've got one more day tomorrow and as we always say, Saturdays are for the Trojans."
Little Rock will close out competition on Saturday in Ocala. Preliminary action begins at 9:30 a.m. and will feature the 100 individual medley, 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly and 400 freestyle relay. The distance session, including the 1000 and 1650 freestyle events, will conclude at 5 p.m. Finals are set to begin at 6 p.m. with the 1000/1650 freestyle, followed by the 100 individual medley, 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly and 400 freestyle relay.
Fans can follow the action throughout the weekend as the meet will be live streamed, and tickets for spectators are available for purchase online here.
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
