IRVINE, Calif. - All-Americans Katelyn Thomas and Kyle Benjamin showed why they are two of the finest swimmers in the nation in NCAA Division II in a dual meet against Cal Lutheran on Saturday at University HS in Irvine. The Eagle women were victorious for their 2nd win in a row while the shorthanded men came up 24 points in arrears in their effort to secure the victory.
Wearing a tech suit on about three days rest in a pool with narrow 6' lanes, Katelyn Thomas burst from the start and a mere 54.46 seconds later, she owns the 5th fastest time in NCAA Division II this year, a new school record and a personal best. It was a staggering swim! She later swam to the fastest time in the PCSC in the 50 butterfly (25.77) for her second win on the day and for good measure, she swam a 50 free time trial after the meet's conclusion and her 23.70 is the 20th fastest time nationally (and also an NCAA "B" qualifying time).
In a tech suit of his own with a few more days rest, Kyle Benjamin took on the enviable task of trying to qualify for NCAAs one of the toughest slates possible: his 400 IM swim (3:58.09) followed by a 500 freestyle (4:31.84) were about 25 minutes apart and like Katelyn's were both NCAA "B" qualifying swims. Both are in the top-25 nationally.
Plenty of Eagles fed off of this energy all day and turned strong performances. Christopher Haygood won three events (50 free, 50-100 fly), each season bests and each putting him in the top-5 in the PCSC. Faith Silzel moved to #1 in the PCSC with a 5:12.18 and #2 in the 200 back with a 2:07.37. Her 25.11 time trial 50 free is a PR and would have won the event.
Freshman Jade Hughes (100 breast, 200 IM) is showing some good speed, winning two events and Victoria Schachle (50 back), Halliona Bacon (50 fly, 50 free) and Alicia Wintermeyer (50 breast) won their first ever CUI individual races! Halli's 50 fly (27.26) now ranks #2 in the PCSC behind teammate Katelyn's swim in the same event. Freshman Zoey Carrillo took her 1000 out well, nearly posting a 500 free PR at the halfway point as she grabbed a big 2nd place finish. Finally, fab frosh, Breckynn Willis had a big day taking both the 100 fly and 100 free, the latter in a season best time.
The men had some nice breakthroughs as well. Andrew Dimino went a season best (1:46.03) to win the 200 free and was 2nd by 2/100ths in the 100 free. Ryan Martines lowered his PR in the 100 breast for the second week in a row and freshmen Jonathan Suthlerlin (500 free) and Max Ewins (100 back) went season best times in their events. Eric Depner chased Chris to the wall in the 100 fly for a 1-2 Eagles finish and barely missed doing the same in the 200 free with an epic last length!
The Eagles won three of four relays as Marley Hickson, Jade, Breckynn, and Halli won the 200 medley, Halli, Hailey Garcia, Faith, and Katelyn dominated the 200 free relay (and grabbed the #2 PCSC ranking) and Chris, Kobe Gall, Kyle and Andrew hung on to win an exciting men's 200 free relay.
California Lutheran had their NCAA Division III championship cancelled this year and is only in their 2nd week of team training. We are VERY thankful that they came down to compete and look forward to swimming them again.
The Eagles are back to training to prepare for dual meets on 3/26 at Redlands and 3/27 at CBU.
For the full CUI men's swimming and diving schedule, click here.
For the full CUI women's swimming and diving schedule, click here.
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