King claims gold at Phillips 66 National Championships

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Junior Matt King became a National Champion after tying for first in the 100-meter freestyle on Tuesday night at the Phillips 66 National Championships in Irvine, Calif.

King tied with Zach Apple, both touching the wall in 48.44. The time is a UVA long course record for King, who had already improved on his own record in the event during prelims.

Sophomore Gretchen Walsh won a silver medal in the women’s 100-meter freestyle, setting a UVA record with a time of 53.86.

Including King and Walsh, Virginia had 10 swimmers in action on Tuesday night.

Sophomore Connor Boyle won the B Final of the men’s 100-meter freestyle with a career-best time of 49.05. Sophomore Jack Aikins finished fifth in the 100-meter freestyle B Final, also posting a career-best time (49.38).

In the women’s 100 free, Maxine Parker finished fourth in the B Final with a time of 54.97. Freshman Claire Tuggle was 20th in prelims (55.48), sophomore Reilly Tiltmann was 25th (55.69), freshman Zoe Skirboll was 36th (56.19) and sophomore Ella Bathurst was 56th (57.13) in prelims.

Junior Abby Harter finished fifth in the B final (13th overall) in the 200-meter butterfly with a time of 2:12.90.

Sophomore Peter Thompson finished 33rd in the 1500-meter freestyle in a time of 16:12.11.