OCALA, Fla.- The Pacific men's swim team wrapped day one of the 2024 National Invitational Championship meet sitting in 13th place with 87 points behind four top-16 finishes.
 
"Great first day!" head coach Katelyne Herrington shared, "We had some big swims, but the highlight came from Dylan in the 50 free. First time he swam sub-20 with a 19.99!"
 
"It means so much to me to finally achieve my dream time," senior Dylan Parente shared after the sprint. "I can't be more appreciative of everyone who has helped me get to this point."
 
The Tigers cruised to 87 points on opening day, well on pace to surpass their 134.5 points scored over three days a year ago. They got a big lift behind four swims that finished in the top-16 after earning one top-16 finish last season.
 
Junior Leland Baltazar started the morning clocking the ninth fastest time in the 50 back prelim with a 22.39. Junior Mitchell Hopper raced the 12th fastest time in Thursday morning's 50 fly prelim, finishing with a 21.86.
 
Senior Aidan Scott clocked a 1:49.74 for the 17th fastest time of the 200 medley prelim, while senior Dylan Parente tied 17th in the 50 free prelim with a 20.43.
 
Baltazar, sophomore Ethan Cole, senior Aidan Vollmar and Hopper, clocked a 3:17.99 for the 17th fastest 400 medley relay time of the morning.
 
The 200 free relays opened Thursday evening's finals, where the Tigers (Parente, Hopper, senior Alex Kurotori and Baltazar) took 10th with a 1:20.54. Baltazar tied eighth in the 50 back, staying strong with a 22.39.
 
Scott finished 19th in the 200 medley behind a 1:50.10. Hopper took 13th in the 50 fly with a 21.90. Parente capped off the evening with a career best 19.99 in the 50 free. The time earned him an 11th place finish.
 
The Tigers return tomorrow morning for day two of the National Invitational Championship. Prelims begin at 6:30 a.m. PT and feature the 400 medley, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back and 800 free relay.
 
For all the latest on Pacific Swimming, be sure to follow the team on X (@uopswimanddive), Instagram (@pacific.swimming) and "like" the team's official Facebook page (Pacific Swimming and Diving).
 
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