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OMAHA, Neb. -- Hokie Senior Brandon Fiala reached the semifinals of the men’s 100 meter breaststroke and classmate Robert Owen was an alternate in the final of the 400 individual medley on the first day of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials on Sunday in Omaha.

“It was a great start for the Hokies,” said head coach Ned Skinner. “Both Brandon and Robert shattered their lifetime bests to finish so high. Brandon had an experience tonight in the semifinal that he will cherish for a lifetime. We are excited for the rest of the week and all that it will bring.”

Entering the day with a seed time of 1:03.56 in the 100 meter breaststroke, Fiala led wire-to-wire and shaved a little more than two seconds off his time as the Centreville native posted a 1:01.46 in heat No. 3. Fiala finished out his day with a a time of 1:02.07 in the semifinal.

Owen turned in the top time in heat No. 2 of the 400 meter individual medley and finished 13th with a time of 4:20.29. Owen pulled ahead and made up time in the backstroke as he made a three-second improvement on his seed time of 4:23.89.

Despite not finishing in the top eight, Owen was listed as an alternate swimmer on the start list for the finals.

Senior Maggie Gruber turned in the third-best time in heat No. 2 with a 1:00.92. Incoming freshman Eleanor Matheson tied for fourth with a time of 4:54.14in her heat in the 400 individual medley where she primarily competed against collegiate swimmers.

Tomorrow’s action will kick off with the women’s 100 meter backstroke where the Holly Harper will be competing for the H20kies.

Men’s 400 IM

13. Robert Owen - 4:20.29

Women’s 400 IM

50. Eleanor Matheson - 4:54.14

Women’s 400 Butterfly

64. Maggie Gruber - 1:00.92

Men’s 400 Freestyle

59. Jake Ores - 3:59.21

95. Michael Craddock - 4:01.92

Men’s 100 Breaststroke

15. Brandon Fiala - 1:01.40; Semifinals - 1:02.07

110. Justin Edwards 0 1:04.46

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