Rice University Athletics
Thursday, March 19
Atlanta, Ga.
9 AM
Rice University
vs
NCAA Championships
Photo by: The American Conference
Cole Swims Personal Best in 400 IM at NCAA Championships
3/19/2026 12:06:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
ATLANTA – Rice sophomore Reese Cole delivered a standout swim on Day 2 of the NCAA Championships, posting a personal best and the second-fastest time in program history in the 400 IM.
Cole finished 35th overall in the prelims with a time of 4:12.59, improving on her previous best of 4:12.61 set at the American Conference Championships.
Entering the event as the No. 47 seed, Cole outperformed her seed by 12 spots and placed second in her heat. The cutoff for the A final was 4:03.65.
"Reese knocked a couple tenths off her best time in prelims and had an awesome finish," head coach Seth Huston said. "Dropping time at NCAAs is not the norm, so for Reese to achieve that in her first NCAA Championships race is notable."
Ava Portello, who recorded the Owls' highest finish in the 1,650 freestyle since 2008 on opening day, will close out the meet for the Owls in the 500 freestyle on Friday.
Cole finished 35th overall in the prelims with a time of 4:12.59, improving on her previous best of 4:12.61 set at the American Conference Championships.
Entering the event as the No. 47 seed, Cole outperformed her seed by 12 spots and placed second in her heat. The cutoff for the A final was 4:03.65.
"Reese knocked a couple tenths off her best time in prelims and had an awesome finish," head coach Seth Huston said. "Dropping time at NCAAs is not the norm, so for Reese to achieve that in her first NCAA Championships race is notable."
Ava Portello, who recorded the Owls' highest finish in the 1,650 freestyle since 2008 on opening day, will close out the meet for the Owls in the 500 freestyle on Friday.
Players Mentioned
IM/Fly/Breast
/ Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Swimming & Diving No videos available.