Aikins wins gold at Phillips 66 National Championships

Posted on Thursday, Jul. 28, 2022, 6:15 pm

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Sophomore Jack Aikins won gold in the 200-meter backstroke to highlight Virginia’s five medals on night two at the 2022 Phillips 66 National Championships on Wednesday night in Irvine, Calif.

Aikins is the second national champion for the Cavaliers with three more nights of competition. He jumped out to the lead early and held on for the win with a time of 1:57.52 in the final event of the evening.

Incoming freshman Claire Tuggle started the night off strong as she took home bronze in the women’s 200-meter freestyle. Tuggle finished with a time of 1:58.34 behind Katie Ledecky and Erin Gemmell.

UVA’s Anna Keating and Ella Nelson took two podium spots in the women’s 200-meter breaststroke. Keating battled for the lead until the final touch as she took silver with a time of 2:25.82, just .47 second behind national champion Mackenzie Looze.

Reilly Tiltmann came on strong in the final lap of the women’s 200-meter backstroke to win bronze. Tiltmann swam a UVA record and personal-best time of 2:09.61.

PRELIMS

UVA newcomer Zoe Skirboll swam in the 200 free, finishing 32nd with a time of 2:02.79, and the 200 breast, finishing 29th in 2:33.31 in prelims.

Maxine Parker was 48th in the 200 free prelims with a time of 2:04.46.

Connor Boyle and Will Cole finished 43rd and 44th, respectively, in the men’s 200-meter freestyle. Boyle finished with a time of 1:51.72 and Cole swam a 1:51.94. Cole was also 51st in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:08.05.

Noah Nichols finished 24th in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke to make the C Final with a time of 2:14.96. Scooter Iida was 33rd in the 200 breast in 2:16.05.

Ella Bathurst finished 30th in the 200 back with a time of 2:16.33.