Romeoville, Ill. – The Quincy University swimming program began its 2023-2024 campaign on Saturday (Sept. 30) at Lewis University. The Hawks faced a strong Lewis squad that returned a few of its national championship-competing Flyers. Both Quincy teams fell short, however, huge strides were made for the program that will set the team up for success the rest of the season.
Women's Events
The 200-yard medley began the race for the ladies where they finished second, just four seconds behind Lewis's top group.
Nancy Olson finished second in the 200 IM, just .22 seconds behind first. Olson also finished second in the 100-yard butterfly, just three seconds behind Lewis's national finisher Larissa Alves.
After a tight race, sophomore Bella Sparrow finished second in the 100-yard backstroke. Freshman
Ariaa Sheth found a third place slot in the 1000 free, with an 11:31.88 time.
Faith Cummings picked up major points in the 100 breast, winning the race with a 1:08.72 time.
Men's Events
The men's program turned a page in its first meet of the second season in nabbing the first, second, and fourth place finishers in the 50 free.
Santiago Leiva led the pack for the Hawks with a 21.16 time.
Borna Kisasondi and
Martiniano Montero finished shortly after with times of 21.74 and 21.87 respectively.
The following men's event saw
Wyatt Walsh win the 200 IM with a 1:54.54 time. Montero's second place finish in the 200 butterfly and
Andrej Golubovic's second place finish in the 100 breast were notable swims in the freshmen's first meet as Hawks.
Freshman
Victor Abram placed third in the 200 free at 1:45.23.
Jeronimo Martinez Barragan came out quick out the gates in the 1000 free, posting a 27.38 second first lap and placing third overall with a 10:23.70 time.
Coach Christiansen's Thoughts:
"We're early on in the season and have a lot of work to do to be competitive, but we made a huge leap forward today in the progress of our team's short history. Spirits are high, with a lot more fast swims to come!"
The Hawks hop back in the pool October 20
th at St. Ambrose University.