Rice University Athletics
Photo by: DJ Scheafer | Rice Athletics
Rice Dominates Day One of Rice Fall Splash
10/9/2026 10:44:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
HOUSTON – Rice swimming and diving opened the 2026-27 season with a strong showing Friday on the first day of the Rice Fall Splash at the Rice Competition Pool.
The Owls claimed first place in eight events, including two individual victories each from Ava Portello and Bella Zhang. Rice also won both the 400-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
Portello won the 500 freestyle in 4:55.86 before closing out her night with a victory in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:32.14. Zhang also claimed two individual wins, taking first in the 100 individual medley in 58.53 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.30.
Rice added three more individual victories, with Reese Cole winning the 200 backstroke in 2:06.18, Eva McIver-Jenkins taking first in the 200 butterfly in 2:02.34 and Lily Archibald topping the field in the 100 freestyle in 51.61 seconds.
The Owls closed out the night with two relay victories. The team of Brianna Gough, Cole, McIver-Jenkins and Portello won the 400 medley relay in 3:47.80. Archibald, Avery Karacz, Zhang and McIver-Jenkins followed with a win in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:34.18.
"Great start to our season tonight. The team brought great energy to the meet," Huston said. "I want to recognize Ava Portello winning the 500 and then finishing the night winning her first collegiate 400 IM. Sophomores Lily Archibald and Bella Zhang really came out prepared to race tonight."
"I loved seeing our newcomers, Eva McIver-Jenkins and Angelica Mom, throw down some great performances as new Rice Owls," Huston said. "Looking forward to seeing how we bounce back on Saturday."
Rice returns to the pool Saturday at 10:30 a.m. for the second and final day of the Rice Fall Splash.
The Owls claimed first place in eight events, including two individual victories each from Ava Portello and Bella Zhang. Rice also won both the 400-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
Portello won the 500 freestyle in 4:55.86 before closing out her night with a victory in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:32.14. Zhang also claimed two individual wins, taking first in the 100 individual medley in 58.53 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.30.
Rice added three more individual victories, with Reese Cole winning the 200 backstroke in 2:06.18, Eva McIver-Jenkins taking first in the 200 butterfly in 2:02.34 and Lily Archibald topping the field in the 100 freestyle in 51.61 seconds.
The Owls closed out the night with two relay victories. The team of Brianna Gough, Cole, McIver-Jenkins and Portello won the 400 medley relay in 3:47.80. Archibald, Avery Karacz, Zhang and McIver-Jenkins followed with a win in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:34.18.
"Great start to our season tonight. The team brought great energy to the meet," Huston said. "I want to recognize Ava Portello winning the 500 and then finishing the night winning her first collegiate 400 IM. Sophomores Lily Archibald and Bella Zhang really came out prepared to race tonight."
"I loved seeing our newcomers, Eva McIver-Jenkins and Angelica Mom, throw down some great performances as new Rice Owls," Huston said. "Looking forward to seeing how we bounce back on Saturday."
Rice returns to the pool Saturday at 10:30 a.m. for the second and final day of the Rice Fall Splash.
Players Mentioned
Free/Fly
/ Swimming & Diving
IM/Fly/Breast
/ Swimming & Diving
/ Swimming & Diving
Free/Fly
/ Swimming & Diving
/ Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Swimming & Diving
Breast/IM
/ Swimming & DivingWednesday, March 09
Saturday, December 04
Thursday, December 02