LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The UNLV men’s swimming and diving team collected two event titles and six medals as it took the lead in the team standings on Friday’s third day of the WAC Championships at CRWC Natatorium.
At the end of the day, UNLV moved ahead of California Baptist (515 points) in the team standings with 519 points and a four-point advantage.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY:
In a historic 100 breast gold medal win, senior Daniel Nicusan broke his own school record, the WAC record and the WAC Championship meet record (51.58). Additionally, Nicusan gave the Rebels their fifth consecutive gold medal in the event.
In a come-from-behind victory, sophomore Ambrus Barcsak won the 200 free title, with the sixth-fastest time in program history (1:35.32), outsplitting second-place finisher Andri Petkovic (26.33) in his final 50 yards (24.49) by 1.84 seconds to steal the win. This marked the first time a Scarlet & Gray swimmer has won the title since 2018.
Starting the day strong, the 100 fly saw two Rebels medal in the event. Sophomore Wikus Potgieter claimed silver with the third-fastest time in school history (46.59), while junior Ian Belflower took bronze with the fifth-fastest time in program history (46.77).
Adding another Scarlet & Gray podium finish, sophomore Colby Raffel claimed silver in the 400 IM, posting the fourth-fastest time in program history (3:48.59).
Taking another podium finish in the 100 breast, senior Adnan Beji claimed a silver medal, speeding to a time of 52.43.
THE RUNDOWN:
– Barcsak’s winning time in the 200 free went down as the sixth-fastest time in program history (1:35.32).
– Adding another top-8 finish in the 100 fly, redshirt freshman Emil Perez placed eighth (47.08), giving the Rebels 11 points. Earlier in prelims, he swam eighth-fastest time in school history (47.07).
– Joining Raffel in the 400 IM, sophomore Kyle Adamson (3:52.52) and senior Michael Brietbart (3:54.04) posted sixth and seventh place finishes, respectively. Additionally, Brietbart posted the seventh fastest-time in the UNLV record book (3:51.02) during prelims.
– In the 200 free, senior Cooper Kiel placed fourth (1:36.55) and freshman Kiril Stepanov placed seventh (1:37.99).
– Notching the last top-8 finish of the night, Potgieter sped to a fourth-place finish in the 100 back (47.18).
QUOTABLE:
“We swam with a lot of heart tonight. We did a great job to move ahead in the team scoring. It’s unfortunate we got disqualified in the 400 medley relay, but we have to overcome adversity. I hope the men are up for the challenge tomorrow.”
-UNLV Head Coach Pat Ota
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
