The Alabama men’s swimming team raced its first race of the NCAA Championships on Wednesday.

Junior Christopher Reid, senior Alex Gray, junior Matthew Adams and sophomore Robert Howard recorded a time of 6:22.79 in the 800 freestyle relay. It was the team’s second-fastest time in the event this year. The relay team finished 22nd out of the 24 teams.  

Head coach Dennis Pursley remains optimistic that the team will rebound as the tournament continues.

“That wasn’t the start we were looking for but we’ve got the 200 freestyle relay and the 400 medley relay tomorrow and those are two of our stronger relays,”  Pursley said. “We also have Anton McKee in the 200 individual medley and three guys in the 50 freestyle, so it will be a full day for us.”

After an opening day with only one event, the championships continue with a full slate of prelims and finals on Thursday. The first prelim begins at 9 a.m. and finals begin at 5 p.m. The events include the 200 freestyle, 400 medley, and 200 individual medley relays, as well as the 50 freestyle and 500 freestyle.