FGCU S&D: Phil Hansel Invitational Preview

The FGCU swimming & diving team (6-4, 4-0 CCSA) is set to compete at the University of Houston's Phill Hansel Invitational at the end of this week, marking the team's final meet of its fall slate. The three-day invite will begin on Thursday, Nov. 21 and run through Saturday, Nov. 23. Prelims are set for 10 a.m. all three days, while finals will be held at 6 p.m. both Thursday and Friday and then at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The Green and Blue:
FGCU has remained among the top schools in CollegeSwimming.com's mid-major rankings throughout the season, most recently checking in at seventh. In the site's national rankings, the Eagles are featured at the 43rd spot. 

In its most recent outing, FGCU posted a 1-4 mark over the course of a two-day, Midwestern road trip (Nov. 8-9). The circuit featured a high-intensity meet between rivals Oakland and Eastern Michigan, as well as competition against Marshall and Toledo.

Junior Petra Halmai has led the Eagles in the pool this season and has posted multiple nationally-ranked times. Her 2:11.36 time in the 200 Breast checks in at sixth and she ranks 16th in the 100 Breast with a time of 1:01.18. Halma also shows up in the national rankings in the 400 IM, where her time of 4:17.22 is good for 21st.

On the boards, freshman Reese Wakefield has dominated the competition in her first season wearing the Green and Blue. The rookie recently received her fourth CCSA Diver of the Week honor, matching the league's freshman record. Wakefield has yet to be defeated in the 3m event and has already qualified for zones on both the 1m and 3m boards.

This weekend's competition will mark the Eagles' last of 2019. The team will resume action at the FGCU Aquatics Complex on Saturday, Jan. 4, as the team is set to host Illinois State, Tulane and CCSA rival Liberty.

Phill Hansel Invitational:
In addition to the Eagles, 12 teams will be represented in the competitive field featured at the invitational: University of Nevada, UC Davis, Rice University, Air Force, Tulane, Colorado State University, University of Northern Colorado, Washington State, North Texas (diving only), Nebraska Omaha (diving only) and University of New Mexico.

FGCU and Houston have already squared off once this season, when the Cougars traveled to Fort Myers for a two-day meet (Nov. 1-2). Despite multiple Eagles swimming personal bests over the course of the meet, Houston ultimately claimed a 204-142 victory. In the most recent CCSA coaches' poll, the Cougars received a No. 21 national ranking. In addition to the national attention, CollegeSwimming.com has tabbed Houston second among all mid-major programs.

Schedule of Events
Thursday:
200 Free Relay
500 Freestyle
200 IM
50 Freestyle
400 Medley Relay

Friday:
200 Medley Relay
400 IM
100 Butterfly
200 Freestyle
100 Breaststroke
100 Backstroke
800 Freestyle Relay

Saturday:
1650 Freestyle
200 Backstroke
100 Freestyle
200 Breaststroke
200 Butterfly
400 Freestyle Relay