H2Okies finish third at Purdue Invite

Tech men's and women's swimming and diving teams close out fall slate

November 18, 2017

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Virginia Tech men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams claimed third on Saturday during the final day of the Purdue Invitational.

The H₂Okies wrap up the final day of competition at the Purdue Invite with both teams finishing in third place. The women’s final standings were as follows: No. 8 Indiana – 896.5; No. 14 Florida – 663.5; #RV Virginia Tech – 601; No. 20 Purdue – 538; FIU – 331; Missouri State – 208; SIU – 130; UNC (divers) – 84.

On the men’s side, the final standings are: No. 3 Florida – 1009; No. 1 Indiana – 847; No. 24 Virginia Tech – 530; No. RV Purdue – 361; Missouri State –327; SIU – 141; Navy – 122; UNC (divers) – 109.

"We are very proud of the total team effort put forth this weekend,” said head coach Ned Skinner. “Too many outstanding moments to mention, but there was certainly an energy and desire to perform that was contagious. Our senior leadership is excellent and I am very happy with our desire to race. We, for sure, have things to work on including our relay exchanges and pride with relays. Building from here and then accelerating to ACC's and NCAA's is the key."

Klaudia Nazieblo claimed the top spot in the 200 fly to lead the Hokies on the final day. With a time of 1:55.90, Nazieblo records an NCAA B time. Maggie Gruber took seventh in the event with a B time of 1:59.11.

The women opened the evening with Grace Kowal finishing fifth in the 1650 free, recording a NCAA B time of 16:31.07 to kick off a strong start for the Hokies.

Reka Gyorgy led a trio of H₂Okies in the in the top-10 of the 200 backstroke. Gyorgy claims fourth in a B time of 1:55.09 while Chloe Hicks finishes just behind with a B time of 1:55.83. Nazieblo takes eighth in 2:04.35.

Adriana Grabski finished fourth in the 100 free with a B time of 49.75. Tech wraps up the evening with a third place finish in the 400 free relay off swims from Joelle Vereb, Grabski, Gyorgy and Abigail Andrusin with a time of 3:18.34.

In diving, Ashlynn Peters led three Hokies in the top-10 of the platform, finishing in fourth place with a score of 249.50. Ashley Buchter came in sixth (231.80) while Miranda Eberle was 10th (215.00).

Thomas Shinholser led the H₂Okies men with a second place finish in platform diving. Shinholser had a score of 347.10. Mauro Castro-Silva came in fifth with a score of 327.20 while Jack Gigliotti finished just behind with a score of 324.50.

Norbert Szabo took fourth in the 200 fly with a B time of 1:46.80. Lane Stone came in 11th, but had a B time of 15:28.29 in the 1650.

Samuel Tornqvist recorded a sixth place finish in the 200 backstroke with a B time of 1:46.31 while teammate Sean Workman was eighth with a time of 1:46.43.

Justin Edwards finished fifth in the 200 breaststroke with a B time of 1:58.51.

The Hokies go on hiatus for the winter break and will return to the pool Jan. 12-13, hosting Virginia at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center.

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