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All-American Peter Mullee placed fifth in the 100-yard backstroke preliminary and will advance to Friday night’s finals at the NCAA Division III National Swimming and Diving Championships.

Mullee, who is an academic junior but is in his last year of athletic eligibility, came in with a time of 49.59 seconds at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. His time was slower than his conference finish of 48.69 seconds.

“I couldn’t stay asleep last night and I didn’t feel strong in the water,” Mullee said. “I definitely need a nap. I swim better at night and swimming in the final will get me plenty pumped.”

Senior Jena Root placed eleventh in the 100 backstroke. She won’t make the finals but will swim in the consolation heat.

She finished with a time of 57.49 seconds, a slower time than her conference finish of 56.44 seconds.

Wrapping up Thursday’s events, the men scored in four consolation round events and moved back into 10th place in the team race.

The 400 medley relay team won the consolation heat with a new school record time of 4:22.77. Mullee, junior Grant Frost, sophomore Erik Huls and freshman Sam Rauchwarter made up the relay.

The Tommie men has 58 team points after two days of scoring. St. Thomas has a good chance to rack up more points as Mullee is seeded first in Friday night’s 100 back and Saturday’s 200 back.

Shane Kitzman can be reached at smkitzman@stthomas.edu