INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - McKendree University men's swimming opened day one of the NCAA DII Swim and Dive Championships with a third-place finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay, breaking the school record with a time of 6:20.34.  

The Bearcat relay was led by senior Leonardo Gandaria Hernandez splitting 1:35.90, followed by freshman Vova Garvysh in 1:33.05. Seniors Arthur Souza and Alireza Yavari were the third and fourth legs with marks of 1:36.41 and 1:34.98.  

This broke the prior school record of 6:21.26 which was set last month at the GLVC Championship by the same quadrant. 

The Bearcats jump back in the pool tomorrow morning for the 200-yard IM, 50-yard freestyle, 1000-yard freestyle, and the 200-yard medley relay.