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MINNEAPOLIS – Seniors Robert Owen and Jessica Hespeler each took home medals after representing the Virginia Tech swimming and diving program this past weekend at the 2016 U.S. Open Swimming Championships.

Hespeler swam a 2.00.34 to finish fourth in the 200 meter freestyle and Owen placed second overall in the 200 meter backstroke and third in the 100 meter backstroke.

“We are very proud of our swimmers who competed at the U.S. Open,” head swimming and diving coach Ned Skinner said. “Robert concluded one of the finest summers in the history of our program and Jess Hespeler continues to show her dominance in the mid-range freestyle events. All swimmers made second swims and gained valuable experience heading into the season. Coach Josh Huger should also be commended for guiding our team through the week and representing us well.”

Hespeler’s time in the 200 free final set a personal best while Owen also registered personal records with a 55.37 in the 100 back preliminaries and a 2:03.25 in the 200 individual medley. Owen’s time of 1:56.79 in the finals of the 200 back was nearly a second faster than his swim in the 200 back finals at U.S. Olympic Trails.

The H₂Okies also saw standout performances from senior Fiona Donnelly and junior Adriana Grabski. Donnelly reached the finals of the 100 meter butterfly with a time of 1:01.71 and Grabski swam a 26.52 in the prelims of the 50 meter freestyle.

For updates on Virginia Tech swimming & diving, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_SwimDive