Contact: Jeff Sattora

Austin, Texas- Following a history making day on day one of the AT@T National Championships, the Cleveland State Vikings followed up with another record on day two of the Championships at the University of Texas.

With eight swimmers participating (six men and two women), the 2012-13 Vikings set a new school record for participants at a National Championships event, a huge accomplishment for the program.

Head Coach Wally Mortonwas happy with the swimmer's efforts all the way around on the day, adding he understands what kind of learning experience this can be for the CSU group with that many swimmers participating.

"I know the team shares my enthusiasm and excitement for being at a U.S. National Championship," Morton said. "The biggest value is that we learn how to do things at a world class level, and through observation and rehearsing our routines we can learn how to do things that will benefit both the athletes and the team as a whole."

Of the eight participants, while all swam well, two were able to advance on in to the evening session and "finals" events, Al Shillito in the 100 butterfly and Nathan Grantin the 100 breaststroke.

Both Shillito and Grant swam their top times of the year Friday in those respective events, with Shillito finishing 27th in the prelims at 49.03, and Grant clocking in at 55.48 to finish in 24th in the prelims.

Grant jumped up to the 22nd spot in the 100 breaststroke finals with a time of 55.66, while Shillito was able to move up to the 23rd spot overall in the finals with a time of 49.51 in the butterfly.

Shillito, the Horizon Leagues' top backstroker, also swam in the 100 backstroke for the Vikings Friday, with a time of 49.93 to finish 37th.

One swimmer on the men's side who just missed advancing to the finals in the evening was Justin Kermackin the 400 IM, with a 25th place finish in 3:55.98. That time was the second fastest of Kermack's career in the event, just off his time at the conference championships last season.

Other swimmers on the men's side included Alex Lewis in 41st (49.73) and Berry Thompson in 47th in the 100 butterfly (50.06) joining Shillito. Brian Ferro also joined Nathan Grantin the 100 breaststroke finishing 34th with a time of 56.30 which was just off his best career time.

On the women's side the Vikings' had two swimmers compete at the second day of the invite, Alexandra Johansson and Alice Sommerville.

Both swimmers swam for CSU in the 100 butterfly, Johnasson finishing in 34th with a time of 55.61 and Sommerville coming in behind at 51st in 56.45, both times were just off their season bests for the Vikings.

Johansson also swam for the Vikings in the 100 backstroke, coming in at a time of 56.75 seconds.

The Vikings will look to continue to swim well and gain those learning experiences tomorrow in the third and final day of the Championships.