Pair of Mountaineers Wrap Up Week at National Championships
July 01, 2023 07:34 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - West Virginia swimmers Danny Berlitz and Mia Cheatwood completed a strong week at Phillips 66 National Championship in Indianapolis, going up against some of the best American swimmers of their generation.
"Really proud of Mia and Danny," sid head coach Vic Riggs. "Proud of both them and this week gives us a lot to focus on for this season and Olympic trials next year. Danny's swims this week were obviously special and puts him back at the elite level and now he knows he belongs there."
The highlight of the week came on Thursday as Berlitz, a rising senior, qualified sixth for the A final in the 400 IM, putting up a time of 4:17.46, setting a new WVU program record and a personal best by nearly 10 seconds. In the final on Thursday night, Berlitz finished seventh with a time of 4:18.11 in a race won by world silver medalist Carson Foster. The field also included 2020 Olympic 400 IM gold medalist Chase Kalisz, 400 IM silver medalist Jay Litherland, as well as two-time Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke.
Also on Thursday, Cheatwood, who just wrapped up her freshman year at WVU, finished 35th in the 50 breast with a time of 33.27, just a tenth of a second off her personal best. In the D final, Cheatwood came in fifth with a time of 33.39 while US record holder Lilly King took home the national title with a time of 29.77.
On Friday, Cheatwood was back in the pool and finished 38th with a time of 1:12.21
On Saturday, Berlitz was back in the pool for the 200 IM and finished 16th with a school-record time of 2:00.96 to qualify for the B final on Saturday night. In the final, he broke the school record once again with a time of 2:00.36, finishing fifth.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUSwimDive on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
"Really proud of Mia and Danny," sid head coach Vic Riggs. "Proud of both them and this week gives us a lot to focus on for this season and Olympic trials next year. Danny's swims this week were obviously special and puts him back at the elite level and now he knows he belongs there."
The highlight of the week came on Thursday as Berlitz, a rising senior, qualified sixth for the A final in the 400 IM, putting up a time of 4:17.46, setting a new WVU program record and a personal best by nearly 10 seconds. In the final on Thursday night, Berlitz finished seventh with a time of 4:18.11 in a race won by world silver medalist Carson Foster. The field also included 2020 Olympic 400 IM gold medalist Chase Kalisz, 400 IM silver medalist Jay Litherland, as well as two-time Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke.
Also on Thursday, Cheatwood, who just wrapped up her freshman year at WVU, finished 35th in the 50 breast with a time of 33.27, just a tenth of a second off her personal best. In the D final, Cheatwood came in fifth with a time of 33.39 while US record holder Lilly King took home the national title with a time of 29.77.
On Friday, Cheatwood was back in the pool and finished 38th with a time of 1:12.21
On Saturday, Berlitz was back in the pool for the 200 IM and finished 16th with a school-record time of 2:00.96 to qualify for the B final on Saturday night. In the final, he broke the school record once again with a time of 2:00.36, finishing fifth.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUSwimDive on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
Free/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Breast/Free/IM
/ Women's Swimming & DivingSWIM: Senior Day Recap
Saturday, January 31
S&D: West Virginia State Games Recap
Tuesday, October 07
S&D: Gold-Blue Meet Recap
Tuesday, September 23
S&D: One Word to Describe the First Official Day of Practice
Friday, September 12
