INDIANA, Pa. – Sisters
Claire Mikesell and
Paige Mikesell each tallied NCAA Division II B standard qualifying times and helped lead IUP women's swimming to a 178-79 win over visiting Gannon Saturday at Pidgeon Natatorium. It was part of a split meet as the IUP men fell to the Golden Knights 143-117 earlier in the afternoon
Claire picked up her NCAA time in the 200 yard breaststroke, touching the wall in 2:19.57 to win the race. An All-American in the event in 2019, this is Mikesell's first qualifying time of the abbreviated season.
Younger sister Paige's qualifying time came in winning the 200 yard butterfly, posting a mark of 2:02.91. This is the 2020 All-American's third NCAA B standard time of the year, including the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly.
The wins in these events were part of 11 victories for the women out of 14 events. Paige also posted wins in the 50 butterfly and 200 IM while Claire had a second victory in the 50 breaststroke.
Other event wins included
Olivia Santee in the 100 freestyle,
Parker Fanella in the 50 backstroke,
Iliana Oikonomou in the 50 freestyle and
Amber Baldani in the 200 backstroke.
The IUP women also had both relay victories - Baldani,
Rachel Johnson,
Paige Mikesell and Oikonomou in the 200 medley; and Oikonomou,
Claire Mikesell, Baldani and
Michelle Lopes in the 200 free.
On the men's side it was
Luke Mikesell, younger brother to Claire and Paige, who had the biggest afternoon. The freshman won three events, taking home top honors in the 100, 500 and 1000 freestyle. He posted times of 46.80, 4:53.82 and 9:44.85, respectively.
Ryan Hartmann also posted an individual victory, winning the 200 IM in 2:00.45.
Up next
These squads battle again next week on the back-half of a home-and-home. The meet is scheduled to start at noon on Saturday in Erie.
This will be the fourth and currently last dual meet of the season for both IUP squads. The Crimson Hawks still have the PSAC Qualification Meet and the IUP Last Chance Meet, which are now both scheduled for Saturday, February 27 at the Keystone Aquatic Center in Carlisle, Pa.
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.
