Wednesday Results: Prelims | Finals

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Cal State East Bay swim team is in ninth place after accruing 38 points on the first day of the 2018 NCAA Division II Swim Championships at Greensboro Aquatic Center. 

A pair of school records fell on Wednesday and four Pioneers earned First Team All-America honors as CSUEB opened the four-day national championship meet on a high note. 

"I feel like we came into this meet as underdogs," said second-year head coach Shane Pelton. "We are a team that can easily get overlooked, but last year I think we made a statement and this year we came out firing on day one."

Senior Morgan McClure started the day off well in morning prelims, qualifying easily for the evening's championship of the 200 IM with the fourth-fastest time in the field. She followed that up with an outstanding performance in finals, taking fifth place in the nation and lowering her own school record with a time of 2:00.87. She's the first Pioneer swimmer since 2014 to become a First Team All-American as an individual two straight years.

"Morgan is a gamer," Pelton praised. "I've never seen her this confident at a meet, and it couldn't come at a better time. She wants it more than she ever has before. It paid off today and will continue to pay off the rest of the week."

Although she didn't qualify automatically, sophomore Allie Klinger was able to compete next in the event, the 50 Free, after posting a "B" cut during the season. She placed 36th in prelims, touching the wall in 23.76.

East Bay closed out Wednesday's action with an historic team effort in the 200 Medley Relay. The foursome of McClure, Claire Beaty, Klinger, and Vivy Hua shattered the program record during prelims, finishing eighth to earn the last spot in the championship final. They finished just 0.13 seconds better than Sioux Falls in ninth place, and beat conference rival UC San Diego as well.

That same quartet was even better to close out the evening program, lowered the school record once again with a time of 1:42.29 to finish seventh in the nation. Beaty, Klinger, and Hua all earned First Team All-America honors, and McClure picked up her second plaque of the day.

"I'm incredibly proud of the team effort," said Pelton. "These ladies are in great spirits and have a great attitudes. They are living in the moment and it's contributing to their great swims. It's great honor to add Allie's and Vivy's names to the list of All-Americans at East Bay."

The Pioneers will now rest up for a busy Thursday program, which includes the 200 Free Relay, 400 IM, 50 Fly, 200 Free, and 400 Medley Relay. 

"In my opinion, the most important aspect of swimming at the NCAA Championship is confidence," Pelton added. "Believing you can go faster, believing you have more in the tank, and knowing that you belong on this stage. These women are very confident and today was just the beginning!"