ABILENE, TX — The University of St. Thomas swimming team opened the McMurry Invitational with an impressive Day 1 performance, showing early-season discipline, strength, and momentum.

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UST dominated the relay events, with both the men's and women's squads winning the 400 medley and 200 freestyle relays. The relays featured several fast splits across the board, setting an energetic tone for the rest of the meet.

The sprint events were a highlight for the Celts, especially in the 50 freestyle. On the women's side, Kelsy Elgar took first place, followed closely by Aj Kennell in second and Emely Lopez in third—a complete sweep and a standout race for the group. The men matched the energy with a sweep of their own, as Austin Brister, Luke Newman, and Juan Botet finished 1-2-3.

First-year swimmer Chase Starcich put together strong swims in both the 200 IM and the 200 breaststroke, showcasing noticeable progress and hard work from training. The staff is eager to see what he brings into next week's competition. Meanwhile, Levi Del Angel continued to show his consistency and competitive drive, winning the 200 butterfly and contributing key legs on the victorious relays.

With their collective efforts, the Celts finished Day 1 leading the combined team scores. Not only did the teams race well but also showed clear evidence of applying the technical work they've been focusing on in practice. As they head into Day 2, the team looks forward to more victories, as they push to secure the overall invitational title.

Up Next:
The Celts will return to action to conquer Day 2 of this McMurry Meet in Abilene, TX, on Saturday, November 15 @10 am. Stay tuned for updates on ustcelts.com and the UST Swimming Instagram.