Purdue Wins College Club Swimming National Championship

Photo Courtesy: Colin Lee Au

The 2023 College Club Swimming National Championship concluded on April 2 with Purdue taking the men’s and combined rankings.

Combined, Purdue scored 1,245 to hold off Virginia (1,180.5), Michigan State (1,051.5), Georgia Tech (775) and Cal (766).

In the men’s meet, Purdue won with 899.5, followed by Liberty (577), Michigan State (530.5), Georgia Tech (452) and Virginia (406).

For the women’s meet, Virginia won with 774.5, followed by Michigan State (471), Cal (410), Georgia Tech (323) and Wisconsin (319).

“This win means everything to our club. It represents a true team effort by our outsanding officer board run by students with a passion and love for swimming,” Purdue club coach Zack Crowe said. “Purdue Swim Club is fortunate to have a large team made up of experienced age group and high school swimmers that enjoy competing at a high level. Our club’s combination of quality and depth was the key to winning the Overall CCS National Championship this past weekend.”

Crowe said that College Club Swimming is growing and an option high school swimmers should know more about.

“College Club Swimming is on the rise and for good reason. CCS provides an excellent outlet for swimmers to compete at a high level outside of the NCAA post high school. For swimmers who think the NCAA is their only option for swimming in college, I would highly suggest looking into CCS,” he said.

Crowe is a volunteer coach and actually swims for the club as well.

“My assistant coach Elena Kitzman and I set a goal to win this year’s combined championship after winning the men’s title and finishing 7th overall last year. We created a practice philosophy focusing on simplicity, race pace, and flexibility. The majority of our swimmers train 2-4 times per week for around an hour, with some only attending when they can find time in their challenging Purdue academic schedules,” he said. “Both Elena and I are volunteer coaches. We are full-time students attending graduate school next year who coach and also swim for the club.”

Here is a look at the winners from the meet:

In the men’s meet, Purdue’s Alex Helwig won the 1000 freestyle (9:33.17). Teammate Kellen Reese won the 100 butterfly (47.13).

Michigan State’s Travis Nitkiewicz won the 200 IM in 1:50.61, 50 breast (25.11) and 100 breaststroke (54.84).

Penn State’s Ryan Strotheide won the 200 backstroke in 1:50.16. Teammate Henry Radzikowski won the 500 free (4:34.24).

Georgia’s Thomas Askew won the 200 butterfly (1:50.04). Ben Prestel won the 100 IM (50.80).

Georgia Tech’s Louis Cardot won the 50 backstroke (22.88).

Virginia’s Emmett Hannam won the 200 free in 1:40.68.

Liberty’s Matthew Davidson won the 100 backstroke (48.76). Dillon Delaney won the 100 breast (56.37). Tim Koza won the 400 IM (3:59.50). USC’s Billy Cruz Zuniga won the 50 fly (21.53), 100 free (44.46) and 50 free (19.94).

In the women’s meet, Purdue’s Elena Booher won the 50 free (24.37).

Cal’s Amanda Ng won the 200 back (2:02.41). Teammate Sophie Klube won the 500 free (5:09.74) and 200 free (1:54.18).

Michigan State’s Syndey Kelley won the 400 IM in 4:39.28 and 200 butterfly (2:09.13). Teammate Kasey Venn won the 200 breaststroke (2:17.88) and 100 breast (1:03.37), 100 IM (57.31) and 200 IM (2:06.19).

Denver’s Salli Lubbe won the 50 fly (25.80).

Elsa Huebsch won the 100 backstroke (57.09) and 50 back (26.49).

Virginia’s Kathryn Jordan won the 1000 free (10:45.37).

Lynx’s Maya Hunter won the 100 butterfly (58.32).

Cate O’Haimhirgin won the 50 breaststroke (29.10).

Notre Dame’s Katherine Pardy won the 100 free (53.37), tying Utah’s Olivia Sheridan.

More College News

Complete Results

COLLEGE CLUB TEAM STANDINGS

COMBINED

Purdue – 1245
UVA – 1180.5
Michigan State – 1051.5
Georgia Tech – 775
Cal – 766

WOMEN

UVA – 774.5
Michigan State – 471
Cal – 410
Georgia Tech – 323
Wisconsin – 319

MEN
Purdue – 899.5
Liberty – 577
Michigan State – 530.5
Georgia Tech – 452
UVA – 406

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