Spartans Complete Prelims of Delta State Invitational

CLEVELAND, Miss. - The University of Tampa men's and women's swimming teams enjoyed a successful first day at the annual Delta State Invitational. The Spartans took a total of seven combined first-place finishes in preliminary action.

On the women's side, UT took a pair of relay races, beginning with the 200 Free Relay. The team of Stephanie Branham, Jessie Bardin, Allison Vetter and Madison Flake finished first with a time of 1:37.00. Tampa also won the 400 Medley Relay with a time of 3:59.77 by Vetter, Lubbers, Lindsay Calimer and Bardin.

Bardin was also victorious in the 500 Free, recording a time of 5:03.62. In the 200 IM, Tampa's Kelsey Lubbers was the first participant to finish, doing so in a time of 2:09.79.

UT's men started off competition with a first-place finish in the 200 Free Relay. The group of Matt Kramer, Jeff Fiore, Frank Kuchta and Michael Verdi posted a time of 1:23.98. Chris O'Linger took the 500 Free with a time of 4:25.17 while Verdi was first in the 50 Free at 20.83.

The meet will last through Sunday as the Spartans are set to return to the pool on Saturday.