Huston Claims 100 Backstroke Title at Trailblazer Invite

Friday, November 17

St. George, UT / UT HPC Pool

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Utah Tech Trailblazer Invitational

Photo by: Eyasu Betwos

Huston Claims 100 Backstroke Title at Trailblazer Invite

11/17/2023 9:15:00 PM | Swimming and Diving

ST. GEORGE, Utah — Sophomore Drew Huston continued his impressive showing by winning the men's 100-yard backstroke and four other Mustangs secured top five finishes for Cal Poly swimming and diving during the second day of the Utah Tech Trailblazer Invitational on Friday.

A day after obliterating the school record in the men's 100 back while leading off the 400 medley relay, Huston captured the 100 back title at the meet with a time of 47.14 seconds — which also bested the previous school record in the event of 47.66 and met the NCAA B standard. This summer, Huston qualified for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the 100-meter back.

In the men's 100 breaststroke, sophomore Alex Power swam a personal best (55.78) to secure third, sophomore Alex Seybold took fifth (56.38) and freshman Theoden Yavuzer-Judd earned sixth (57.08). Senior Ryan Trichler, a 2023 All-MPSF Second Team honoree, grabbed third in the 400 individual medley.

Huston, Yavuzer-Judd, sophomore Finn Schlamp and freshman Luke Reyes led the Cal Poly men to a fourth-place finish in the 200 medley relay.

On the women's side, freshman Olivia Sundgren shined once again capturing fifth in the 400 IM with a personal best (4:26.00). It marked the second straight day Sundgren secured a top five finish at the meet after placing fifth in the 500 freestyle Thursday. Senior Kelly McDermott, a 2023 All-MPSF Second Team selection, earned seventh in the 400 IM.

Sundgren also swam leadoff on Cal Poly's seventh-place 800 free relay (7:38.06). Sophomore Courtney Cross, freshman Amalie Claus-Udarbe and senior Alexa Porter swam the other three legs.

In the women's 200 medley relay, sophomores Kiersten Weiler, Melia Costa, Katie Treacy and redshirt junior Katie Faris carried the team to a ninth-place result (1:44.73).

Cal Poly's divers also opened competition at the Lumberjack Invitational in Flagstaff on Friday. Senior Briana Medvecki, junior KellyAnn Lim, sophomore Myl Lauc and freshmen Shayna Gayer, Justin Dolezal and Madden Saini all hit the diving board for the Mustangs at the meet hosted by Northern Arizona.
Prelims for the final day of the Trailblazer Invitational begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, while the Mustangs resume competition at the Lumberjack Diving Invitational at 9:30 a.m.