Gauchos conclude Finis Invitational on top

LONG BEACH — Both the UCSB men and women’s swim teams took first place on Monday as action concluded at the three-day Finis Collegiate Invitational at Belmont Plaza.

The Gaucho women edged out second-place UNLV by 18 points, outscoring the Rebels, 2,177-2,159. The men blew out the competition scoring 2,262 points. The second-place team was once again UNLV, which finished 451 points behind the Gauchos.

UCSB’s final day of the meet was highlighted by six NCAA Championship consideration times.

Sophomore Tim Freeman posted a first-place finish in the 200 breaststroke while also posting a ‘B’ qualifying time of 1:59.60. On the women’s side, Emily Adamczyk also posted a ‘B’ standard in the 200 breast with her time of 2:16.34.

In the 100 free, Anne Marie May was able to post her second ‘B’ qualifying time of the season in the 100 free with a time of 49.44, her leadoff split in the 400 free relay also met the NCAA consideration standard.

Chris Peterson won the men’s 100 free in 44.91 seconds, just out-touching teammate Kevin Ferguson, who placed second in 45.01.

Danny McClary rounded out the individual first-place finishes, taking the top spot in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:48.85.

The Gauchos completed the meet with back-to-back wins in the 400 free relays. The women’s team of May, Naomi Javanifard, Kendall Neely and Courtney Bauer finished in 3:23.34, a NCAA consideration time. The men?s relay of Ferguson, Scott Vogelgesang, Chris Peterson and Ryan Hanni touched the wall in 2:58.46, another ‘B’ qualifying time.

During the three days of the Finis Collegiate Invitational, UCSB men’s and women’s swim teams posted a combined 14 NCAA Championship consideration times, 20 first-place finishes and one school record. May also posted the best time by a collegiate swimmer this season in the 50 free on Friday.

The Gaucho men and women will be back in action in 2010 when they host USC on Jan. 9 at noon at Campus Pool.