ELKHART, IND - The 2023 National Invitational Championship Meet got off to a bang with 1400 athletes, from 68 teams from coast-to-coast competing at the Beacon Health Center in Elkhart, Indiana. The meet, sponsored by the College Swim Coaches Association of America, started Thursday and runs through Saturday. 

Day 1 SUMMARY

As he has done all season, Michael Faughnan led the Iona group of 14 qualifiers, reaching the championship heat of the 500-yard Freestyle. Faughnan, a junior, who was the 2023 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Most Valuable Performer in the MAAC Championship Meet took ninth in the event at 4:27.55 after a preliminary effort of 4:24.67. 
 
In other action, the quartet of Mikel Palaj, Brian Baldwin, Chase Bateman and Faughnan took 34th in the 200-Freestyle Relay at 1:24.82. The women's 400-Medley Relay team of Victoria Novinsky, Julia Moser, Ashley Benkert and Isabella Nicholson placed 38th with a 3:49.97.  
 
The men's 50-Backstroke saw Brian Baldwin placed 57th in the event with a 23.79; MAAC Rookie of the Year placed 50th with a 26.47 time. 
 
The women's 50-Breaststroke had Julia Moser place 45th at 29.45, with classmate Isabella Nicholson in 62nd at 29.87. 

Up Next

The meet continues Friday with the 400-IM, 100-Butterfly, 200-Freestyle, 100-Breaststroke, 100-Backstroke and 800-Freestyle Relay. 

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