Rice University Athletics
Friday, March 20
Atlanta, Ga.
9 AM
Rice University
vs
NCAA Championships
Photo by: © 2025 Joshua Brown
Owls Close Season at NCAA Championships
3/20/2026 2:58:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
ATLANTA — The Rice women's swimming and diving team closed its 2025-26 season Friday at the NCAA Championships.
Ava Portello capped the meet for the Owls in the 500 freestyle, finishing 37th with a time of 4:44.09 after entering the event seeded 37th.
Portello opened the week with a standout performance in the 1,650 freestyle, placing 24th with a personal-best time (16:14.80). The mark is the program's highest finish in the event since 2008.
Reese Cole also recorded a personal best during the meet, posting a time of 4:12.59 in the 400 individual medley to place 35th on day two.
"2026 is in the books," head coach Seth Huston said. "Ava and Reese had a great meet. They posted personal bests, moved up in their respective events and are heading home knowing they can compete with the top athletes in Division I. The future looks bright for Rice women's swimming and diving."
Rice closes the season as the back-to-back American Conference champion and the runner-up at the 2026 CSCAA National Invitational Championships.
Ava Portello capped the meet for the Owls in the 500 freestyle, finishing 37th with a time of 4:44.09 after entering the event seeded 37th.
Portello opened the week with a standout performance in the 1,650 freestyle, placing 24th with a personal-best time (16:14.80). The mark is the program's highest finish in the event since 2008.
Reese Cole also recorded a personal best during the meet, posting a time of 4:12.59 in the 400 individual medley to place 35th on day two.
"2026 is in the books," head coach Seth Huston said. "Ava and Reese had a great meet. They posted personal bests, moved up in their respective events and are heading home knowing they can compete with the top athletes in Division I. The future looks bright for Rice women's swimming and diving."
Rice closes the season as the back-to-back American Conference champion and the runner-up at the 2026 CSCAA National Invitational Championships.
Players Mentioned
IM/Fly/Breast
/ Swimming & Diving
Free
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