BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- The Western Kentucky University swimming and diving has given itself a substantial lead after day one of the Hilltopper Invite, as the women's team has posted 312.5 points and the men's team tabbed 342 points in Thursday's events.
Heading into day two, the Lady Toppers will be up against Vanderbilt's 231.5 points, University of the Cumberlands' 104 points and Sewanee's 32 while the Hilltoppers will look to keep their cushion between University of the Cumberlands' 165 points and Sewanee's 49.
Two pool records also fell in the day's events, as senior Billy Kunkel's first-place finish in the 200 IM set a new top time at 1:51.07, and the men's 200 free relay of junior Richard Russell, Kunkel, junior Heitor Rodrigues and senior Jordan Vorst tabbed a new best time at 1:22.38.
Along with Kunkel, five other swimmers posted first-place times. Freshman Michelle Craddock hit the wall at 4:58.12 in the 500 free, as the Hilltoppers went 1-2-3 in that same event with senior Adam Dajka clocking in at 4:31.75, junior Neal Rushing at 4:39.84 and junior Elliott Lorson at 4:41.75.
Sophomore Hannah Runyon-Hass notched a top time in the 200 IM with her performance of 2:03.93 while sophomore Paige Dragza split first-place points with Vanderbilt's Caroline Thomas in the 50 free, as both hit the wall in finals at 23.87. WKU closed out the individual events by taking the top two spots in the men's 50 free with Rodrigues taking first at 20.82 and Russell close behind at 21.47.
WKU closed out the swimming events with a win in the men's 400 medley relay, as Dajka, Kunkel, Rodriuges and Russell closed the day with a top time of 3:21.67.
In the diving evaluations, reigning Sun Belt Conference Diver of the Week Caitlin Dean led the day with her score of 271.64 on the three meter. Freshman Caroline Alexander earned a score of 175.42 while fellow classmate Rachel King tabbed 172.87.
For the men's divers, freshman Giorgi Meyer earned the highest score on the one-meter board with a 290.62 while freshman Brooks Price scored 193.34.
Day two of the Hilltopper Invite continues on Friday, November 16 with prelims beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Bill Powell Natatorium.
