LAS VEGAS, Nev.: On the second day of competition in Las Vegas, the outcomes have been determined and finalized. The men's team secured a victory against the University of Wyoming, with Santa Barbara accumulating 187 points to Wyoming's 153. However, they faced a setback in their match against the UNLV, succumbing to a defeat as UNLV claimed 236 points, overpowering Santa Barbara's 114. Turning to the women's team, the Gauchos faced formidable opponents in Wyoming and Nevada, resulting in final scores of 215 for Wyoming, 136 for Santa Barbara, and 256 for the UNLV, overpowering Santa Barbara's 95.

Top Three Wins:

Despite the overall results of the day, several Gauchos distinguished themselves on the podium, as multiple swimmers achieved top-three finishes.

The men's team delivered a series of professional performances, starting with Austin Sparrow in the 500 yard freestyle, where he earned first place outpacing his competition with a final time of 4:25.54.  The Men's 200 Yard Backstroke witnessed an exceptional display by Kyle Brill, who clinched the 1st position with an impressive time of 1:45.35. Freshman Jack Nugent also contributed to the team's success in the 200 backstroke by securing 3rd place with a commendable time of 1:47.55. Brill continued to shine in the Men's 400 Yard IM, claiming the top spot with a remarkable time of 3:52.13. Shogo Moidaira showed off his hard work in the 200 yard breaststroke, securing second place in 1:59.91. The men's 100 yard butterfly saw another triumphant victory for the team, with Zachary Tamusaitis earning gold in 47.87. Austin Sparrow maintained the team's momentum in the Men's 200 Yard Free, securing 3rd place with a time of 1:39.30. 

Transitioning to the women's team, regardless of the final outcome, several swimmers exhibited remarkable strength and resilience in the pool. Lucy Huang was the first winner of the day, securing an impressive 2nd place with a time of 4:25.83 in the women's 400 yard IM. In the Women's 50 Yard Free, Ashley Ray displayed speed and precision, earning 2nd place with a final time of 23.30, closely followed by Eugenie Lanilis in 3rd with a time of 23.44. Hazel Derr demonstrated exceptional skill in the Women's 200 Yard Backstroke, securing 2nd place with a commendable time of 1:59.42. Enya Linson contributed to the team's success in the Women's 200 Yard Breaststroke, earning 3rd place with a time of 2:16.91. Samantha Banos showcased her talent in the Women's 100 Yard Butterfly, securing 3rd place with a time of 55 seconds flat. 

Relay Triumphs:

Today's relay races proved to be an exhilarating portion of competition, with both the men's and women's teams demonstrating exceptional dedication and teamwork. The Women's 400 Yard Freestyle Relay saw Samantha Banos, Tyryn Empremsilapa, Hazel Derr, and Paige Gambetta secure a commendable 3rd place with a swift time of 3:24.98. Meanwhile, in the Men's 400 Freestyle Relay, Austin Sparrow, Aiden Benjamin, Zachary Tamusaitis, and Matt Driscoll showcased their collaborative strength, claiming an impressive 2nd place with a time of 2:57.87. The Women's 200 Yard Medley Relay witnessed another stellar performance from Hazel Derr, Ashley Ray, Makenna Leacox, and Hannah Joseph, earning them a well-deserved 3rd place with a time of 1:41.51. Similarly, the Men's 200 Yard Medley Relay, featuring William Cussimanio, Henry Adamson, Bryden Thielenhaus, and Matt Driscoll, secured 3rd place with an impressive time of 1:28.69.

Next Week: 

Next week, the Gauchos will return home to host the highly anticipated Santa Barbara Invite on February 2nd and 3rd. Stay tuned for additional details, as the team prepares to welcome participants and fans for an exciting event filled with thrilling competitions and noteworthy performances.