Heimes Takes Fifth, WVU Concludes Day One

Thursday, March 10

Elkhart, In

West Virginia University

CSCAA National Invitational Championship

March 10, 2022 10:28 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving

Day 1 Results

By: Reghan Bailey

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Sophomore Justin Heimes' top-five finish led the West Virginia University men's and women's swimming teams opening night of competition at the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) National Invitational Championships, at the Beacon Health Aquatic Center, in Elkhart, Indiana on Thursday.

The Mountaineers had 14 swimmers make an appearance during day one finals. Juniors Jacqueline McCutchan and Ginger Hansen led the way for the women, making three appearances a piece, while junior David Snider and freshman Braden Osborn, additionally notched three appearances each.

"Both teams had an excellent session this evening," Mountaineer Associate Head Coach Rick West said. "The majority of the team are underclassmen competing in their first post conference competition. All the relays performed above our expectations. On the women's side, sophomore Abby Reardon swam a lifetime best of almost three seconds.F or the men, Justin Heimes swam well with a top-five finish. We are looking forward to continuing the momentum tomorrow."

The night opened with the 200 free relay. The women's team of McCutchan, fifth-year Ana Zortea and juniors Harna Minezawa and Hansen combined to finish in ninth place with a time of 1:31.96. The men's team, comprised of freshmen Conner McBeth and Osborn, sophomore Roanoke Shirk and Snider, took eighth, touching in 1:20.85.

Next up, came the 50-yard butterfly as Hansen (16th – 24.84) represented the women in the consolation final, while Snider (13th – 21.89) competed in the men's consolation final. Following the 50 fly, sophomore Abby Reardon took 11th-place in the women's 500 freestyle, touching with a time of 4:48.43, good for a personal best.

The Mountaineers had two women in the 50-yard backstroke finals, including McCutchan and Hansen. McCutchan led the way, touching in 25.61, to finish 10th, respectively, while Hansen finished with a time of 26.26 (20th). On the men's side, Heimes' had his top-five finish, touching the wall in 22.29, good for fifth-place.

Freshman Jake Young was the lone Mountaineer in the 200 IM finals. The freshman took 17th overall, with a personal best of 1:49.98.

WVU had three swimmers in the 50 free finals. Zortea represented the women's squad, by notching a time of 23.01, good for 11th-place. On the men's side, McBeth led the way, touching in 20.44 (17th), followed by classmate Osborn (20th - 20.63)

In the final event of the of the evening, the 400 medley relay, the women's team of sophomore Paige Dressel, juniors Tatum Peyerl, Minezawa and McCutchan finished with a time of 3:44.20, taking 14th overall, respectively. The men's team of sophomore Justin Heimes, juniors Conrad Molinaro and Snider and Shirk finished in 12th, with a time of 3:16.23.

The Mountaineers return to competition on Friday, March 11, for the second day of action at the CSCAA NIC. Friday's prelims are set to begin at 10:30 a.m. ET at the Beacon Health Aquatic Center, while finals action will commence at 6 p.m. ET

For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUSwimDive on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.