Passages: Oklahoma Baptist’s Ivan Maciuniak, 22

SHAWNEE, Oklahoma, March 10. IVAN Maciuniak, a 22-year-old freshman member of the NAIA champion Oklahoma Baptist swimming and diving team, “died following an accident in the university's swimming pool,” according to the Shawnee News Star.

According to the report, “Shawnee firefighters and REACT EMS paramedics were called to the pool about 4:47 p.m., where they performed CPR and transported the student by ambulance to Unity Health Center. [OBU President Dr. David] Whitlock said Maciuniak was pronounced dead at the hospital about 5:15 p.m.”

“Please be in prayer for Ivan's family, including his brother, Mateo, a current OBU student, and his family members, who are in Argentina,” Whitlock told the Shawnee News Star.

Maciuniak's story is one of triumph to tragedy. He died just a week after helping his OBU teammates, including his brother Mateo, to an NAIA national team title in the program's first year in existence under head coach Sam Freas. Maciuniak leadoff OBU's NAIA record setting 400 free relay to overcome a slim one-point deficit to win the title. Maciuniak, along with Nick Schuttinger, Mateo and Daniel Ramirez, posted a 2:57.83 to secure the team title for the Bisons.

Full text of Shawnee News Star article

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