HOUSTON, Texas – UC Santa Barbara Men's and Women's Swim returned to the pool for day two of the Big West Championships.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Samantha Banos and Miranda Stevenson each swam to a top three finish for the women's team. Banos placed first in the 500-yard freestyle (4:46.32) and Stevenson was the runner-up in the 50-yard freestyle (22.63). Both these speeds are the second-best times by any Gaucho ever.

Five Gauchos on the men's team took a spot on the podium. Owen Berry's time in the 500-yard freestyle was good for first (4:23.76 – ninth all-time). Kyle Brill also earned gold with a blistering time of 1:43.53 in the 200-yard IM, which is a team record. Jack Hendrick placed second in the 500-yard freestyle behind his teammate (4:23.91 – tenth all-time). Taber daCosta earned bronze to round out the Santa Barbara sweep in the 500-yard freestyle. Austin Sparrow took silver in the 200-yard IM (1:44.16 - second all-time).

With their time of 1:17.74 Austin Sparrow, Justin Wong, Zachary Tamusaitis, and Matt Driscoll set a school record in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Both teams took second in the event – with Eugenie Lanilis, Ashley Ray, Hazel Derr, and Miranda Stevenson swimming to 1:30.82. 

The B Group Finals saw a handful of Gauchos medal. Makena Leacox won the 200-yard IM (2:01.07). Jude Distefano (500-yard freestyle – 4:26.42), Justin Wong (200-yard IM – 1:48.02), and Tyryn Empremsilapa (50-freestyle – 23.52) all finished second in their respective events. Bryden Thielenhaus earned bronze in the 50-yard freestyle (20.08).

UP NEXT

Day three will see the Gauchos swim in the 100-yard butterfly, 400 IM, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard backstroke, and 400-yard medley relay at 4 p.m.