Horizon League Swimming & Diving Championships: Day 2 Results & Scores (Includes Prelim Times)
ROCHESTER, Mich. – After five records fell on the first day of the Horizon League Swimming and Diving Championships, the effort was equaled on the second evening, as five more pool, league and championship records were re-written at the Oakland Aquatics Center.
Oakland set three of the five new marks and extended its lead on both the men’s and women’s sides. Golden Grizzlies swimmers took the top spot on the podium in five events on Thursday night. Through 14 events, the Golden Grizzlies women hold a 40-point advantage on Milwaukee, 283.50-243.50; the Oakland men own a 85.5-point gap on Cleveland State in second.
Oakland freshman Devon Nowicki got the Golden Grizzlies started, capturing the 500 freestyle in 4:27.82 and holding off a furious charge from Milwaukee twins Nic and Tim Halverson.
Immediately following, Patricia Aschan swam a season-best 2:00.53 in the 200 IM to take the top spot, hitting the NCAA B qualifying time in the process. Oakland’s Jeremiah Morren equaled Aschan's championship effort, besting the competition in 19.93 in the men's 50 free.
Oakland’s sprint success carried into the 200 free relays, where the Golden Grizzlies set new League and Championship records on the men’s side and a new pool record on the women’s. Holly Morren, Amber Lefler, Melissa VanderMeulen and Nikki Flynn collaborated on the women’s win.
Earlier in the day, Flynn matched the League record in the 50 free, swimming the preliminary heat in 20.90.
The Oakland men controlled the 200 free relay from the first turn, as Paul Huch opened the relay in 20.19. Andrew Binder and Tony Eriksson handed off to Morren, who closed the relay in 19.48 to set the mark at 1:19.28.
UIC's Brie Hines opened the evening finals in a manner similar to last night, as she extended the events record to five straight with a time of 4:50.36 to give the Flames its first individual victory of the meet.
Wright State sophomore Mitch Stover lowered his Horizon League record in the 200 IM, setting new pool, championship and League records with an effort of 1:45.98. Five swimmers hit the NCAA B standard in the final, while Tuomas Kiviluoma’s time of 1:46.16 would have been good for the League mark had it not been for Stover.
Milwaukee collected two individual victories behind Amanda Siehs and Rachel Margis. Siehs out-touched her competitors in the 50 free with a winning time of 23.00. On the 1-meter board, Margis posted a final score of 275.60, grabbing victory on her final dive with a score of 52.65.
The championships will continue on Friday, with preliminaries beginning at 10 a.m. ET. Day 3 finals will start at 5:30 p.m. ET. Both rounds will be carried live on ESPN3.
Women’s Standings (through Day 2):
1. Oakland – 283.50 points
2. Milwaukee – 243.50
3. Youngstown State – 169
4. Wright State – 160
5. UIC – 142
6. Cleveland State – 137
7. Green Bay – 127
8. Valparaiso – 44
Men’s Standings (through Day 2):
1. Oakland – 308 points
2. Cleveland State – 222.50
3. Wright State – 181
4. UIC – 170
5. Green Bay – 145
6. Milwaukee – 137.50
7. Valparaiso – 74