MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University men's and women's swimming and diving teams wrapped up the first day of the WVU Invitational on Wednesday at The Peak Health Aquatic Center at Mylan Park in Morgantown.
 
The men's team sits in second place behind Navy with 478 points. The women's team is in fourth place with 417 points.
 
The evening began with strong performances by the men's and women's teams in the 200-yard freestyle relay. The men's team placed first, touching the wall at 1:19.32, while the women's team finished second (1:32.85).
 
In the women's 500-yard freestyle, sophomore Maddie Smutny was dominant as she touched the wall at 4:51.02 to win the event. Junior Olivia Busch also placed third (4:54.32) for WVU. Junior Gabriela Martin earned a first-place finish in the B final (4:54.92).  
 
Senior Danny Berlitz had a fantastic performance in the men's 200 individual medley as he won the event (1:45.90). Redshirt sophomore Christian Simpson narrowly missed a top-three finish as he touched the wall at 1:48.64.
 
The most exciting race of the night happened in the men's 50 freestyle, as there was a two-way tie for first between West Virginia's Conner McBeth and William & Mary's Aiden Bond. Both touched the wall at 19.93.
 
In the diving well, sophomore Owen Recker continued a strong season, winning the men's 3-meter (336.70).
 
To wrap up the night, the relay team comprised of freshman Logan Leckner, sophomores Delaney Cox and Victoria Kidney and junior Gabriela Martin placed third in the 400-yard medley relay (3:43.08).
 
On the men's side, the relay team comprised of junior Conner McBeth and seniors Danny Berlitz, Justin Heimes and Braden Osborn placed second after touching the wall at 3:13.46.
 
The Mountaineers will return on Thursday for the second day of the WVU Invitational. Prelims begin at 10 a.m. EST, and finals start at 6 p.m.
 
Women's Standings

1. William & Mary (543.5)
2. Villanova (496)
3. Navy (440.5)
4. West Virginia (417)
5. Old Dominion (165)

Men's Standings

1. Navy (761)
2. West Virginia (478)
3. Old Dominion (278)
4. Villanova (270)
5. William & Mary (266)

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