Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships: Day Four

JENISON, Michigan, February 12. THE Wayne State University men's swimming and diving team won its sixth GLIAC championship in the last nine years, as the four-day conference meet came to a close Saturday evening.

Wayne State totaled 852 points, finishing with a 124-point lead over second-place Grand Valley State (728). Ashland was a close third (714), followed by Indianapolis (578).

WSU won both the men's and women's championships in the same year for the third time (2006, 2007). Sean Peters was named both men's and women's GLIAC Coach of the Year, Kevin Galerneau earned GLIAC Men's Freshman of the Year honors, and Jeff Grant was named Men's Diver of the Year.

In addition, Andrey Seryy was voted GLIAC Men's Swimming Athlete of the Year. Seryy won his third individual conference championship of the week in the 100 freestyle and led off the first-place 400 free relay in the final event of the meet. Wayne State's men's team totaled nine championships in four days.

Saturday's finals began with the 1650 freestyle, as Oskar Nordstrand came in fourth (15:55.65), improving his prior NCAA "B" qualifying time. Cameron Weaver and Jordan Papp finished seventh (16:18.06) and eighth (16:18.32), respectively, as both swimmers made "B" cuts. Justin Rauhoff came in 12th (17:17.02).

In the 200 backstroke, Nathan Hesche improved his "B" cut and finished fifth (1:52.13), while Jimmy Lee came in sixth (1:52.43).

Five Warriors scored points in the 200 breaststroke, led by second-place Joaquin Abascal Gallegos (2:02.62). Matt Victor upgraded his "B" cut and finished fourth (2:03.80), Matthew Laschuk placed seventh (2:06.37), and Cameron Weaver finished eighth (2:09.22). In the consolation final, Fares Ksebati took 12th (2:12.23).

Wayne State also made up half the field in the championship final of the 200 butterfly. Improving their "B" times, Galerneau finished third (1:50.51) and Calvin Reder came in fourth (1:52.69). Justin Rauhoff placed sixth (1:55.15) and Ben Dueweke took seventh (1:55.57).

Wrapping up the meet was the 400 free relay of Seryy, Hesche, Victor and Kristian Larsen, who collectively improved WSU's "B" time (3:02.11).

Several Warriors will compete in the NCAA Championships in March. Wayne State finished third at nationals in 2010.

The Wayne State University women's swimming and diving team successfully defended its conference title, winning for the fifth time in six years at the GLIAC Championships, which concluded Saturday evening.

Wayne State, which led for the duration of the meet, ended the four-day event with 868 points, finishing with a 132-point lead over second-place Grand Valley State (736). Ashland came in third (419) followed by Findlay (310).

WSU won both the men's and women's championships in the same year for the third time (2006, 2007). Sean Peters was named both men's and women's GLIAC Coach of the Year, and Kayla Scott garnered GLIAC Women's Freshman of the Year honors.

The Warriors came away with three individual championships and one relay title Saturday, bringing their total to 10 championships this week.

Catherine Leix, the 500 freestyle champion, won the 1650 free on Saturday. Ana Gonzalez Pena also won her second GLIAC title of 2011, as the 100 breaststroke champion won the 200 breaststroke as well.

Carly Sevald finished in first place in three-meter diving, and the 400 free relay of Carol Azambuja, Ashley Corriveau, Gonzalez Pena and Sara Franklin came in first place in the final event of the meet.

Wayne State collected 93 points in the 1650 freestyle and boasted the top four finishers, led by Leix (17:16.98). Alycen Wiacek came in second (17:27.04), Kelsey Dischler finished third (17:31.69) and Stephanie Ekleberry came in fourth (17:32.55). All three swimmers behind Leix improved their NCAA "B" qualifying times.

Heather Thomson came in seventh and earned a "B" cut (17:53.82), Michelle Adamic placed 10th (18:16.96) and Chelsea Lord placed 11th (18:26.25).

Gonzalez Pena and Scott, who earned a "B" cut, went one-two in the 200 breaststroke (2:16.60; 2:20.60).

Sevald (459.35) was among five Warrior divers who scored well Saturday night. Cassie Chetosky finished fourth (423.40), Paige Kortman took fifth (411.10), Emily Mitzelfeld finished eighth (369.30), and Meghan Jaworski placed 11th (341.50).

The 400 free relay (3:25.45) eclipsed the NCAA "A" standard and set a school record. In addition, Azambuja made a "B" cut and set a school record in the 100 free with her leadoff time of 51.12.

Other strong performances included that of Franklin in the 200 backstroke, as she finished second, made an "A" cut and broke her own school record (2:01.11). Azambuja earned a "B" cut and finished third (2:03.24), while Alex Malfroid came in 11th (2:09.60).

Corriveau came in fourth in the 100 free (52.02), and Christina Busquets Garcia placed 10th with a "B" cut (53.06). Agata Zalewska finished 12th in the 200 butterfly (2:14.69).

Several Warriors will compete in the NCAA Championships in March. Wayne State finished as the national runner-up for the second straight year in 2010.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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