TOWSON, Md. – The George Mason swimming and diving teams faced Towson in their last event before the holiday break at Burdick Pool.
On the men’s side, senior Tate Anderson shined, winning the 50-yard freestyle (20.67), 100-yard freestyle (45.38), and 200-yard freestyle (1:37.73). Freshman Robert Dykman secured third place in the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.14), while sophomore Gabriel Miller came in third in the 100-yard freestyle (46.19).
Senior Aoun Al-Hiari excelled in the butterfly events, winning the 100-yard (48.12) and taking second in the 200-yard (1:51.22). Sophomore Ryan Serbia won the 200-yard individual medley (1:52.73) and tied with junior Alex Crown for second in the 100-yard freestyle (9:36.14).
Junior Ian Rodgers finished second in the 100-yard backstroke (49.28) and third in the 200-yard backstroke (1:50.78). The 400-yard freestyle relay team, which included graduate student Agustin Rasche, Anderson, Rodgers, and Miller, won with a time of 2:59.48. In the 200-yard medley relay, senior Jack Chapman, Rodgers, Al-Hiari, and Miller took second (1:30.06).
On the women’s side, freshman Sidney Kaufman earned a victory in the 100-yard backstroke (56.82), with classmate Lucy Daniel finishing third (58.90). Kaufman also placed fourth in the 200-yard backstroke (2:06.60).
Junior Casey Tingen came in second in the 200-yard individual medley (2:08.41) and finished fourth in the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.75). Junior Kristen Ivey was second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:07.11), while freshman Landry Liston followed closely in third (1:07.38).
Senior Peyton Brehmer took second in the 50-yard freestyle (52.79) and was third in the 100-yard butterfly (56.93). In the 200-yard breaststroke, senior Ainsley Toews placed second (2:22.15) with classmate Angelina Zeidan in fourth (2:26.04).
The relay team of Kaufman, Toews, Brehmer, and Tingen finished second in the 200-yard medley relay (1:46.23).
The Patriots will return to action on January 17 when they take on Delaware in Newark, Del.
Swimming has seen a surge in popularity, especially with young athletes, largely due to increased visibility of major events like the Olympics. According to USA Swimming, the number of participants in competitive swimming has grown by nearly 20% over the past decade. This rise reflects not only the sport’s appeal but also its increasing recognition as a pathway to scholarships and professional opportunities.
As swimming continues to capture attention, discussions around its health benefits are becoming more common. Experts note that swimming is not just a great workout; it’s also low-impact, making it accessible to people of all ages. It improves cardiovascular fitness, builds muscle strength, and promotes mental health by reducing stress.
With events like this, George Mason swimming is contributing to a positive trend in sports participation and public health. You can follow more on their journey at [George Mason Athletics](https://www.gomason.com).
