Sorenson places in top 25 during 50 freestyle prelims

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Payton Sorenson placed in the top 25 in the 50 freestyle prelims during the NCAA Division I Swim and Dive Championships on Thursday.

“I am very proud of how Payton Sorenson and Kevin Dreesen performed today,” BYU head swim coach John Brooks said. “Payton swam faster than he did last year at the NCAA, but his time was just shy of qualifying him for the finals. He has one more shot in the 100 free on Saturday.”

Sorenson, a junior from Mesa, Arizona, posted a prelims time of 19.37 seconds and placed 21st out of 51 competitors. Last year, Sorenson placed 14th overall with a time of 19.48.

“Kevin came out strong and completed one of his best inward 2-1/2 actions this season,” BYU head dive coach Tyce Routson said. “We will work on being more consistent through all six rounds of dives in hopes of making it to the finals in the 3-meter event tomorrow.”

Dreesen, a senior from El Cajon, California, scored 275.50 points to place him in 36th during the 1-meter event. Last year in the NCAA Championships, Dreesen placed 32nd with a score of 305.35.

Dreesen’s final dive during his college career will take place Friday starting at 12 p.m. EDT. Sorenson will not compete tomorrow, but he will participate in the 100 free on Saturday, with prelims beginning at 10 a.m. EDT and finals taking place at 6 p.m. EDT.

Morning sessions on Friday and Saturday will be streamed live on www.ncaa.com and www.indianasportscorp.org/ncaasd. ESPN3.com will live stream finals sessions on Friday and Saturday.