KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Denver men's and women's swimming and diving programs got underway with three preliminary events on Thursday morning on day one of three of the 2018 Tennessee Invitational.
 
Denver placed 21 student-athletes into Thursday night's finals across three men's and women's events, including 14 that will score points in the meet in either the A or B finals.
 
The Pioneers turned in their first two NCAA B Standards of the campaign as junior Colin Gilbert (Kamloops, B.C.) took the top spot in the men's 500 free prelims with a 4:18.46 and sophomore Cameron Auchinachie (Binghamton, N.Y.) finished third in the 50 free prelims with a 19.65.
 
Gilbert's time would rank 10^th in the top times in the country entering the weekend, while Auchinachie's swim would rank 18^th (including the two swimmers that finished in-front of him Thursday morning).
 
Thursday Morning's Finals Qualifications
Women's 500 Free
A: Annelyse Tullier (4:48.91 – 7^th), Andi Johnston (4:50.11 – 8^th)
C: Izzy Smith (5:00.84 – 24^th)
Men's 500 Free
A: Colin Gilbert (4:18.46 – 1^st)
C: Jesse Haraden (4:30.72 – 20^th), Gavin McGee (4:30.99 – 21^st)
Women's 200 IM
B: Kylie Cronin (2:02.77 – 14^th)
C: Ally Yancy (2:03.81 – 23^rd)
Men's 200 IM
A: Neil Wachtler (1:48.08 – 6^th), Adriel Sanes (1:48.30 – 8^th)
B: Patrick Groters (1:48.72 – 12^th), David Mihalic (1:48.99 – 15^th)
C: Kyle Ewoldt (1:50.65 – 22^nd)
Women's 50 Free
B: Lauren Moden (22.85 – 9^th), Aysia Leckie (23.15 – 13^th), Josie Valette (23.26 – 16^th)
C: Heidi Bradley (23.34 – 18^th), Sarah Lingen (23.51 – 22^nd)
Men's 50 Free
A: Cameron Auchinachie (19.65 – 3^rd)
B: Jackson Gainer (20.24 – 11^th), Hugo Sykes (20.39 – 13^th)
 
Thursday Morning's NCAA Standards
Colin Gilbert – 500 Free – 4:18.46 – NCAA B Standard
Cameron Auchinachie – 50 Free – 19.65 – NCAA B Standard
 
Order of Events
Finals – 6 p.m. ET/4 p.m. MT
200 Free Relay
500 Free
200 IM
50 Free
400 Medley Relay
 
Friday – November 30
Prelims – 10 a.m. ET/8 a.m. MT
400 IM
100 Fly
200 Free
100 Breast
100 Back
 
Finals – 6 p.m. ET/4 p.m. MT
200 Medley Relay
400 IM
100 Fly
200 Free
100 Breast
100 Back
800 Free Relay
 
Saturday
Prelims – 10 a.m. ET/8 a.m. MT
200 Back
100 Free
200 Breast
200 Fly
1650 Prelim heats (Timed Finals, all but top 8 seeds)
 
Finals – 6 p.m. ET/4 p.m. MT
1650 Top 8 Seeds
200 Back
100 Free
200 Breast
200 Fly
400 Free Relay
 
SCORING:
16 qualifier championship scoring will be used at the meet.
Relays: 40-34-32-30-28-26-24-22-18-14-12-10-8-6-4-2
Individuals: 20-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-9-7-6-5-3-2-1
 
UP NEXT: Denver will once again return to Florida for its annual winter training trip, ultimately competing December 20^th in the FAU Fun Invite. 
 
TOGETHER 4 COLORADO TOY DRIVE:
The Pioneers have partnered with CBS4 for the Together 4 Colorado Toy Drive to support the Denver community during the holiday season. Beginning Nov. 17, there will be toy drops at every Denver Athletics and Newman Center event thru Dec. 19. Additionally, there will be a Community Shop 'n Drop on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., hosted by the Denver Cheerleading squad at the circle drive on the north side of the Ritchie Center.
 
UP NEXT:
Denver will have nearly four weeks off before both programs head to Knoxville for the 2018 Tennessee Invitational.
 
Fans interested in making a donation to the men's and women's swimming and diving programs can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.   
 
-Pioneer Together-

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