The Gustavus men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are both in first place after the first day of the MIAC Championships which are being held at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. The men’s team claimed three event titles, while the women posted two. The meet will continue on Friday before wrapping up on Saturday.
The men’s team scored 217 points and leads rival St. Olaf by nine points (208). The 200 free relay team of Brian Amundson, Jonah Winter, Matt Stewart, and Scott Hagemeyer started off the meet in style finishing first in a record time of 1:22.34. The mark automatically qualified the team for the NCAA Championships and broke the all-time MIAC record, the MIAC meet record, and the Gustavus school record.
Stewart continued the fast start for the Gusties by winning the 500 freestyle with a school record time of 4:29.15. Stewart’s time also automatically qualified him for the NCAA Championships. The Gusties dominated the 500 free as Ben Hanson finished second with a time of 4:35.63 (NCAA B Provisional mark), Skylar Davis placed fourth in a time of 4:38.21 (NCAA B Provisional mark), and Billy Cuevas placed fifth with a time of 4:41.69.
Scott Hagemeyer recorded the Gusties third event title of the day when he won the 50 free with a NCAA Automatic qualifying time of 20.69. Brian Amundson finished second with a time of 20.82 (NCAA B Provisional mark).
The Gustie men finished the day with a second place finish in the 400 medley relay. The team of Josh Waylander, Dan Mikkelson, Connor Ziegler, and Scott Hagemeyer posted a NCAA B Provisional mark of 3:28.29.
The Gustavus women made an early statement finishing day one with a total of 198 points. The Gusties were 20 points better than pre-meet favorite St. Olaf (178), and 33 points better than Carleton (165).
The 200 free relay team of Emily Amundsen, Janae Piehl, Jonna Berry, and Laura Watkins got the Gusties off to a strong start with a second place finish in a time of 1:38.90.
Carrie Gunderson followed with a first place finish in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:08.28. Gunderson’s time set a new school record and met the NCAA Provisional B qualifying mark.
The Gusties closed out the day with a first place finish in the 400 medley relay. The team, which consisted of Christi O’Conner, Sarah Koepp, Yoshi Ludwig, and Sara Pfau, set a new school record and met the NCAA Provisional B standard with a time of 3:57.49.