H2Okies' 800 free relay earns honorable mention All-America honors at NCAAs

Hespeler, Donnelly, Gyorgy and Nazieblo set a new school record in their top 16 performance

March 15, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS - The Virginia Tech women’s swimmers kicked off their week at the NCAA Championships by breaking a school record and earning honorable mention All-America honors in the 800 freestyle relay on Wednesday evening.

Seniors Jessica Hespeler and Fiona Donnelly, junior Klaudia Nazieblo and freshman Reka Gyorgy swam a 7:03.10, shattering the previous program record of 7:04.63 set at last month’s ACC Championships, to finish 16th in the field.

“Today was a great start for the H₂Okies,” head coach Ned Skinner said. “Jess Hespeler got us out in front so fast and she just keeps getting better. We are so happy for Fiona to earn that honorable mention All-American plaque after so many close calls. Reka and Klaudia both looked really strong and we are pumped for tomorrow.”

Hespeler led off the relay with a time of 1:43.79, breaking her own record in the 200 freestyle. Gyorgy, swimming the second leg, swam the second-fastest time in the relay with a 1:45.68.

Hespeler will start things off for the H₂Okies tomorrow at 10 a.m. with the prelims of the 500 freestyle.

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