HOUSTON, Texas – The Washington State swim team sits in sixth place after posting seven top-15 finishes and 158 points on the opening day of the Phill Hansel Invitational. The Cougars saw season-best times from every swimmer today, including a WSU Top-10 performance from freshman Emily Barrier.

Freshman Emily Barrier etched her name into Cougar Swimming history with an impressive 23.07 in the 50 free. Barrier's time earned her a ninth-place finish in the event and was the fifth-fastest time in program history. Barrier also swam the opening leg of the eighth place 200 free relay team. Alongside teammates Keiana Fountaine, Paige Gardner, and Chloe Larson, the team clocked a season-best 1:33.69 in the event, over one second faster than the relay team from Colorado State.

"In the 50 freestyle, we saw multiple lifetime bests," said head coach Matt Leach. "Paige broke the 24 second mark for the first time in her career, swimming a 23.88. Keiana went a lifetime-best this morning, and followed that up with a lifetime-best this evening. Emily Barrier dropped time from this morning to swim a lifetime-best 23.07. It was the fifth-fastest all-time performance in school history; which, as a freshman, is amazing. We couldn't be more excited with where the Cougs are going."

Freshman Keiana Fountaine had an outstanding performance for the Cougars, garnering a 12th place finish in the 50 free with a season-best 23.43. Fountaine also swam anchor for the fifth place 400 medley relay team. With teammates Taylor McCoy, Linnea Lindberg, and Sophia Balmaceda, the Cougars finished in 3:43.52 – a team-fastest this season.

Sophomores Chloe Larson, Taylor McCoy, and Mackenzie Duarte all hit season-best times in their respective events. Larson swam to a 14th place finish in the 50 free with a 23.65. McCoy touched the wall in 2:05.43 in the 200 IM, while Duarte touched in 2:05.65.

In the 500 free, junior Ryan Falk and sophomore Samantha Howell each performed well. Falk clocked a season-best 4:52.91 for 13th place. Howell touched the wall in 4:56.36, less than a second off of her career-best.

"I'm really excited to see where we're at and where we're going," said Leach. "All-in-all, I thought it was a great first day and the team and I are excited to get rolling into tomorrow. We've been getting better as we go, and I'm looking forward to seeing how we perform tomorrow."

The Cougars will reenter the pool Saturday for the second day of the three-day invitational. Preliminary rounds are set to begin at 10 a.m.