2023 Women’s Swimming Season Highlights: Wheeling University Athletics Sets New Standards!

Wheeling, W. Va. – The Wheeling University Women’s Swimming team has been on an upward journey since returning in the 2020-21 season. This year, they achieved their best results yet at the Mountain East Conference (MEC) and Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) Championships, finishing fifth overall and second in the MEC. As they wrap up their season, they are excited for what the upcoming 2025-26 season will bring.

They kicked off their season competing at the West Virginia University Games in October. The team started with a win and a loss against Frostburg State and West Virginia Wesleyan. After that, they dominated the next five meets, leading to a record of 8-2 before the Malone Invitational. There, they finished sixth out of 16 teams, ending their pre-holiday performance on a high note.

Training continued in the south, where they faced Lenior-Rhyne in North Carolina. Although they lost that match, they bounced back with a crucial victory against Fairmont State. Their final meet took place in Erie, PA, where they faced Penn State Behrend and Alfred State College, falling short in both competitions as they headed into the MEC/GMAC Championships.

The Championships were intense, with four long days filled with tough competition. The Cardinals again took fifth overall and second in the MEC. They received All-MEC honors in 13 events. Senior Jade Miller and junior Gabby Baiano stood out, each winning MEC titles in their individual events. Miller secured her third title in the 200-yard Backstroke with a time of 2:08.67, finishing fifth overall, while Baiano won the 200-yard Freestyle in 1:56.52, marking her third MEC championship and placing eighth overall. Both athletes earned three individual All-MEC recognitions.

The team capped off their success by winning their first relay championship in program history. Miller, Lydie Sprecher, Grace Moorley, and Sophia Castillo teamed up in the 200-Yard Freestyle Relay, finishing with a time of 1:39.74.

As this season comes to a close, the Wheeling University Women’s Swimming team is eager to train hard in the offseason. They are ready to rise to the challenges and expectations of the next season.

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