MALIBU, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks swim team finished day one at the Pepperdine Winter Invite second among all Division II schools and in fourth place among all schools involved (DI, DII, DIII, NAIA).

Day one of the invite saw 12 new personal records get achieved in different swims. The first of the day went to Oda Bygdnes in the 50-meter fly and 200 IM races. Jessica Williamson also claimed a new personal record in the 50-meter fly alongside Bygdnes. Three Nanooks claimed a new personal record in the 50-meter breaststroke as Whitney McArthur, Kaia Norbye and Sydney Gulon all claimed new PR's in the event. Alongside the breaststroke, McArthur put together a new best in the 50-meter freestyle.

Gulon also put her old time aside in the 500-meter freestyle, joining Tori Shoemaker and Camille Dayton with new personal bests. Alexis Mattson added a new PR in the 50-yard backstroke and Carol McCormick ended the day, joining Bygdnes in the 200 IM race with a new personal record.

"Day one of the Pepperdine Winter Invite was a super-success for our Nanooks swimmers. The ladies got up and raced their hearts out today, most getting lifetime best swims. I am incredibly happy with how we started the meet today and I am excited to see what we can do moving forward tomorrow!" This is what head coach Becca Weiland had to say after watching her swimmers races on day one.

The relays also saw victory, as the 'Nooks racers swept the 200 and 400 relays. In the 200, Makayla Suominen, Bygdnes, Norbye and McArthur grabbed the victory with a time of 1:35.73. In the 400 relay, Suominen, Norbye and Bygnes were joined by Erika Kakazu in victory lane after a time of 3:52.41.

The Nanooks will remain in Malibu, Calif. for the remainder of the weekend, with day two coming tomorrow, Nov. 23 and the final day coming on Nov. 24.

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks swim team, follow @NanooksSwim on Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks Swim team page on Facebook.