BUFFALO, N.Y. – Junior Dan Fitzgerald broke his own record in the 100-back and nabbed the top qualifying spot, as did Blase Szyszko in the 100-breast, as the Explorers had a strong showing in the morning session of day three of the 2012 Atlantic 10 Championships.
 
With a 49.11 in the 100-back, Fitzgerald broke his own school record of 50.48 set in 2010.  Swimming in the consolation final of the event this evening will also be senior Edward Carnes (51.50) and sophomore Dave Derr (51.61).
 
Szyszko clocked in at 56.33 in the 100-breast preliminaries
 
In the 100-fly, Carnes qualified second in 49.18, while senior Austin Thomas was fourth in 49.40.
 
Sophomore Sean McCall will return to swim in the 200-free finals (1:41.11).  Three Explorers, including juniors Brian Batson (1:41.28) and Zach Anderson (1:41.25) and sophomore Cameron Cabrera (1:42.27), all dropped seconds off their best times and will swim in the consolation final tonight.  
 
Freshman James Gravel dropped nearly 17 seconds off his top 400-IM time (4:07.60) and will return to the pool this evening for the consolation finals in the event.  Joining him in that race will also be seniors Eric Patenaude (4:11.26) and Joe Jung (4:12.98).

Senior Jordan Baker posted the fifth highest score (272.60) in this morning's 3-meter diving preliminaries and will move on to the finals.
 
Tonight's action will begin at 6:30 p.m.  Check twitter @GoExplorers_com or @LaSalleUSwim for updates. Live results and video can be found at the A-10's Championship site.