Swimmers Gain Experience on U.S. Open Stage

Wednesday, December 4

Atlanta, GA

ALL DAY

George Washington University

Toyota U.S. Open Championships

12/7/2019 9:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving

Full Results

Eleven current Colonials raced vs. world's best in Atlanta

ATLANTA - GW swimming and diving was well-represented at the Toyota U.S. Open Championships this week, sharing a pool deck with some of the world's best swimmers.

Eleven current Colonials, plus 2019 alumna Caroline Racke, took part in the long-course meet at Georgia Tech's McAuley Aquatic Center.

George Aspougalis led the Buff and Blue contingent, advancing to a pair of D finals reserved to highlight the meet's top 18-and-under participants.

The first-year from Greece finished 38th in 100m breaststroke qualifying on Friday (1:03.32) before touching second in his final heat (1:03.94) in the evening. He capped the meet Saturday by qualifying 45th in the 200m breaststroke (2:21.60) and then shaving more than two seconds off his prelim time to take sixth in the D final in 2:19.26.

A men's senior class that has already won three Atlantic 10 titles showcased its quality on the national stage.

Emils Pone was the busiest Colonial, competing in four events. The senior from Latvia posted his best showing Saturday by placing 48th in the 200m backstroke (2:07.27). He also competed in the 200m IM (2:07.48, 56th), 400m IM (4:35.71, 53rd) and 100m backstroke (:58.63, 86th).

Classmate Andrew Cho turned in a pair of solid backstroke swims. The California native was 58th in the 200m back (2:08.56) and 89th in the 100m back (:58.88).

Max Forstenhaeusler posted a pair of top-100 finishes, swimming the 100m free (:51.61, 83rd) and 100m fly (:56.25, 91st), while Moritz Fath competed in three freestyle events with a personal-best finish of 87th in the 200m free (1:55.28).

On the women's side, Stine Omdahl Petersen and Meghan Burton wrapped the meet early to get back to Foggy Bottom for Saturday's showdown vs. Richmond.

A first-year from Norway, Omdahl Peterson placed 100th in the 100m breast (1:14.37) and also posted a blazing time trial swim of 2:40.65 in the 200m breast. Burton recorded a time of 1:03.50 in the 100m fly, good for 109th.

WATCH THIS: Hear from Forstenhaeusler and Fath after the U.S. Open Championships.

Max Forstenhaeusler and Moritz Fath recap a great trip to the #ToyotaUSOpen. (And one more swim to go with George's 200 breast final later!) #RaiseHigh pic.twitter.com/F8I0aoAfeD
— GW Swimming & Diving (@GWSwimDive) December 7, 2019

GW results at the Toyota U.S. Open

George Aspougalis
100m breast qualifying - 1:03.32 (38th)
100m breast D final - 1:03.94 (2nd)
200m breast qualifying - 2:21.60 (45th)
200m breast D final - 2:19.26 (6th)

Emils Pone
200m back - 2:07.27 (48th)
400m IM - 4:35.71 (53rd)
200m IM - 2:07.48 (56th)
100m back - :58.63 (86th)

Meghan Burton
100m fly - 1:03.50 (109th)

Andrew Cho
200m back - 2:08.56 (58th)
100m back - :58.88 (89th)

Moritz Fath
200m free - 1:55.28 (87th)
100m free - :52.12 (109th)
400m free - 4:08.28 (117th)

Max Forstenhaeusler
100m free - :51.61 (83rd)
100m fly - :56.25 (91st)

Josh Legge
400m free - 4:10.06 (128th)
1,500m free - 16:55.71 (72nd)

Ryan Patterson
100 back - :59.22 (99th)
200 back - 2:14.26 (time trial)

Stine Omdahl Petersen
100m breast - 1:14.37 (100th)
200m breast - 2:40.65 (time trial)

Caroline Racke
50m free - :27.40 (140th)

Youssef Ragab
200m breast - 2:32.46 (86th)
100m breast - 1:08.25 (113th)
100m free - :54.09 (time trial)

Kaden Schwaiger
100m back - :59.69 (113th)
200m back - 2:10.65 (82nd)