CLARION, Pa. – For the first time in 324 days, IUP Athletics saw its programs compete in an official event as the men's and women's swimming teams swept Clarion in a dual meet Saturday at Tippin Natatorium.
It was the first official event for IUP since March 12, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was an easy sweep for the Crimson Hawks in their return to competition, with the men winning 127-72 in the morning while the women followed with a 147-52 victory in the afternoon.
IUP was dominant from start to finish, winning 20 of 22 events while combining for 11 more second place finishes.
Individual winners on the men's side included
Luke Emmerling in the 1000 freestyle (10:50.32);
Adam Morrison in the 100 freestyle (49.09) and 200 freestyle (1:46.66);
Taylor Auger in the 200 IM (2:07.48);
Ryan Hartmann in the 100 butterfly (52.73);
Blake Hendricks in the 100 backstroke (54.35);
Luke Mikesell in the 500 freestyle (4:38.43); and
Kyle Mowid in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.06).
The men also won the 200 medley relay, with Hendricks,
Julien Dampenon, Hartmann and Miksell swimming a 1:37.63; and the 200 free relay, as Morrison, Dampenon, Hartmann and Mikesell combined for a mark of 1:29.80.
On the women's side,
Paige Mikesell posted IUP's first NCAA Division II B cut time of the year with a mark of 1:52.72 in winning the 200 free. She also had a hand in two relay wins, the 200 medley and 200 free relays.
Other women's individual winners were
Olivia Santee in the 1000 free (11:12.45);
Michelle Lopes in the 50 free (25.56);
Rachel Johnson in the 200 IM (2:11.22);
Iliana Oikonomou in the 100 free (53.45);
Amber Baldani in the 100 back (59.99);
Colleen Como in the 500 free (5:32.56); and
Claire Mikesell in the 100 breast (1:05.07).
Joining
Paige Mikesell in the winning 200 medley relay were Baldani, Johnson, and Oikonomou. Oikonomou, Baldani and Lopes swam with Mikesell in the 200 free relay victory.
Up next
The Crimson Hawks hosts Wheeling (W.Va.) in a dual meet next Saturday, February 6 at the Pidgeon Natatorium inside the Memorial Field House. Due to health and safety guidelines, there are no spectators allowed at the meet.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP men's and women's swimming programs, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPswimming and online at IUPAthletics.com.
