BAKERSFIELD, California October 19. THREE schools new to the Division I ranks competed against each other in men’s and women’s swimming competition today. For Seattle University, it marked the first official year in Division I after a required four-year transition, while Grand Canyon is starting the first year of a four-year transition. Bakersfield, however, has been an official Division I school since the 2010-2011 school year after many years in Division II.<\/p>\n
In the men’s competition, Grand Canyon won both of their meets as they beat Bakersfield 156-132 and Seattle 183-79. Bakersfield was able to beat Seattle 189-99. On the women’s side, Bakersfield beat GCU 179-109, while GCU beat Seattle 160-101. CSU was able to beat Seattle 195-93.<\/p>\n
Though the newest team to the Division I ranks, Grand Canyon brought the most pedigree to the meet. Though they lost their two individual-event NCAA Division II champions to graduation, Grand Canyon’s men’s and women’s teams still had a good deal of firepower, especially on the men’s side. Bakersfield was the only team to field divers, though Grand Canyon is set to debut a diving program next season.<\/p>\n
In the women’s meet, Grand Canyon won six swimming events to Bakersfield’s five, but depth helped give Bakersfield the victory. GCU’s Hannah Kastigar was busy, winning the 200 back in 2:06.24, the 200 fly in 2:02.66 and the 200 IM with a 2:05.32. Also winning for GCU were NCAA Division II finalist Inha Kotsur in the 1000 free (10:34.61), Hannah Peseau in the 100 fly (57.65) and Katie Robertson in the 100 breast (1:06.90).<\/p>\n
The Bakersfield women celebrated their team win today with five individual swimming victories: Paola Hernandez in the 100 back (57.19) and 100 free (51.96), Michaela Paige in the 200 free (1:51.58) and 500 free (5:04.43) and Jacelyn Youngerman in the 50 free with a personal best 23.91.<\/p>\n
The only win for the Seattle women came in the 200 breast, as Blaise Wittenauer-Lee won by 10 seconds with a 2:17.73.<\/p>\n
In the men’s competition, 50 free NCAA Division II champion Michael Branning kicked off his senior year of racing with a runner-up finish in the splash-and-dash to teammate Ilya Glazunov, who won the 50 with a 20.74 to Branning’s 21.10. Glazunov followed it up with a 45.35 to win the 100 free.<\/p>\n
Two other GCU rookies posted double wins in Bakersfield. Igor Lytvenok won the 200 back with a 1:48.39 and the 200 IM with a 1:49.91. Aslan Burbayev, in his goal of replacing multiple NCAA champion Eetu Karvonen in a matter of years, won the 100 breast with a 58.06 and the 200 with a 2:07.04.<\/p>\n
Seniors Everton Kida and Ivan Nechunayev also won events today. Kida took the 100 back with a 50.45, while Nechunayev won the 100 fly with a 49.51.<\/p>\n
Kyle Moline was the sole winner for Seattle in the men’s meet, taking the 200 fly in 1:53.53 ahead of Nechunayev’s 1:54.22.<\/p>\n
Bakersfield’s three wins in swimming came from two swimmers. Mitchell Huxhold won the 500 free with a 4:32.19 and the 1000 free with a 9:22.32. Alex Kotliarsky won the 200 free with a 1:41.22.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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