ATLANTA — Rice University swimmer Ava Portello delivered a strong performance at the NCAA Championships on Wednesday, finishing 24th in the 1,650 freestyle. The result marked the first top-25 finish for a Rice swimmer at the NCAA Championship since Casey Clark in the 100 fly in 2015, a significant milestone for the program. Portello’s time of 16:14.80 in the event represents a substantial personal best and underscores the rising competitiveness of Rice swimming, and diving.
Entering the competition as the No. 42 seed, Portello shaved 8.04 seconds off her previous best time in the 1,650 freestyle. Her performance places her third in Rice program history, just 0.77 seconds behind Ella Dyson’s 16:14.03, according to Rice University Athletics. The achievement is particularly notable considering Rice Hall of Famer Brittany Messengale’s program record of 16:12.12, set in 2008, highlighting the progress made by the current team.
A Season of Success for Rice Swimming & Diving
Portello’s appearance at the NCAA Championships comes on the heels of a successful season for the Rice Owls swimming and diving team. The team recently secured back-to-back American Conference championships, totaling 17 medals and five individual titles. Portello herself earned automatic bids to the NCAA Championships as a conference champion, qualifying in both the 1,650 and 500 freestyle events. Reese Cole also secured an automatic bid in the 400 individual medley.
Head coach Seth Huston praised Portello’s race strategy, stating, “Ava raced like she has been training. She has been looking great since the American and really did a great job patiently getting into her rhythm and pace.” This comment suggests a focused and well-executed approach to the demanding 1,650 freestyle, a test of endurance and pacing.
Looking Ahead to the Remaining Events
The NCAA Championships, being held at Georgia Tech’s McAuley Aquatic Center, will continue through Saturday, March 21. Preliminary sessions initiate at 9 a.m. CT, with finals scheduled for 5 p.m. CT each day, and all events are being streamed live on ESPN+. ESPN+ provides comprehensive coverage of the championships, allowing fans to follow the competition.
Rice will continue its participation in the championships with Reese Cole competing in the 400 IM on Thursday. Cole, like Portello, is making her debut appearance at the NCAA Championships. The Owls will conclude their participation on Friday with Portello competing in the 500 freestyle. The schedule for the remaining events is as follows:
- Thursday, March 19 – 400 IM Prelims | 9 a.m. CT | ESPN+; Finals | 5 p.m. CT | ESPN+
- Friday, March 20 – 500 Free Prelims | 9 a.m. CT | ESPN+; Finals | 5 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Portello’s Performance in Context
The 1,650 freestyle is widely considered one of the most grueling events in swimming, requiring a unique blend of speed, endurance, and mental fortitude. Portello’s ability to improve her time by over eight seconds at the national level speaks to her dedication and the effectiveness of the Rice coaching staff. The event demands consistent pacing and strategic energy management, and Portello’s performance suggests she is developing those skills effectively.
The success of both Portello and Cole at the American Athletic Conference Championships, where they secured their automatic bids with winning times of 16:23.84 in the 1,650 freestyle, 4:42.67 in the 500 freestyle (Portello), and 4:12.61 in the 400 IM (Cole), demonstrates the depth of talent within the Rice swimming and diving program. These victories were instrumental in the Owls’ consecutive conference titles.
The NCAA Championships represent a significant opportunity for Rice to showcase its program on a national stage. Although the competition is fierce, the performance of Portello and the upcoming events for Cole provide a positive outlook for the Owls’ future in collegiate swimming.
Fans can follow live results and updates throughout the NCAA Championships on the Rice Owls Athletics website. RiceOwls.com will provide comprehensive coverage of the team’s performance, including schedules, results, and news updates.
The next event for the Rice Owls at the NCAA Championships is Reese Cole’s preliminary heat in the 400 IM on Thursday morning. The results of that event will further define the team’s performance at the national level.
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