The Valparaiso men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams opened their seasons at the Butler Invitational on Sunday, September 28.

Freshman Dani Gomez Barrientos (Mexico City, Mexico/Grandview Prep) set the second-best time in Crusader history in her first collegiate meet. She was just .04 off the school record in the women’s 400 yard IM as she finished in 4:38.65 and placed second.

Junior Gonzalo Castro Diaz (Mexico City, Mexico) finished third in the men's 200 yard butterfly with a 1:56.48, three seconds off his personal and Crusader best. His time would have been good for fifth best all-time in Crusader history. He also finished sixth in the 200 yard breaststroke with 2:15.54, good for tenth-best all-time.

In the men’s 200 yard medley relay, the team of freshman Max Penn (Columbus, Ohio/St. Charles Prep), junior Fred Jenny (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany), Castro Diaz and senior Matt King (Clinton, Ill./Clinton) finished fifth with a time of 1:38.47.

Senior Flavia Segatto (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Charles W. Flanagan) had two top-five finishes, as she finished 5th in the women's 1000 yard freestyle in 11:07.72 and third in the women's 200 yard butterfly in 2:13.65.

King and Jenny also had top-five finishes individually, as King finished third in the men's 200 yard backstroke in 1:58.97 and Jenny finished fourth in the men's 200 yard breaststroke with 2:12.79. Jenny’s time was less than a second off his personal best, which is the fifth-best time in school history.

The Crusaders return to the pool on October 11 when they welcome home former swimmers in the Alumni Meet. Start time is scheduled for 9:00 am CT.