RECIFE, BRAZIL – Penn State swimmer Victor Baganha competed in two races at the Brazilian National Championships at the Santos Dumont Park and Sports Center in Recife, Brazil on Saturday, June 3. In the 50m Freestyle, Baganha finished with a time of 22.89 to place fifth in the B final (13th overall in the event). Earlier in the day, he recorded a 22.70 in the prelims.
Baganha also competed with his Minas team in the 4x100 Medley Relay, earning a split of 52.43 as the team finished second with a time of 3:36.85.
The Nittany Lion sophomore finished his week at the Brazilian Nationals with three Top 10 finishes, highlighted by a second-place finish in the 100m Butterfly with a personal-best 52.26. He qualified for the Pan-American Games in October and the World University Games this summer.
On Thursday, Baganha sprinted to a 49.97 in the 100m Freestyle, placing 10th overall. He posted a 49.68 in the prelims.
On Friday, he won the B final in the 50m Butterfly (ninth overall in the event) with a time of 24.01.
"It's amazing having the experience that I'm having right now," said Baganha. "I'm so grateful for Minas and PSU for providing such amazing opportunities for me to be successful."
Full coverage and results of the meet can be found here.
In his sophomore season, Bagahna qualified for the NCAA Championships in three events, sprinting to lifetime bests in the 100 Fly, 50 Free and 100 Free.
In the 100 Free, Baganha placed 26th with a personal-best 42.39, good for second all-time at Penn State.
In the 100 Fly, Baganha finished 13th with a time of 45.04, becoming the first Nittany Lion to swim in the finals and earn All-American honors in the event since Euguene Botes in 2003. Baganha's prelim time of 44.75 set a school record.
In the 50 Free, Baganha claimed 19th. His prelim time of 19.10 is a personal best and Penn State's third-fastest in program history.
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