ROCHESTER, Mich. – Grand Canyon University (GCU) made quite a splash at the Oakland Golden Grizzly Classic. The men’s team took home the championship, while the women’s side finished a close second.
Over four days of intense competition, GCU showed off their talent with several event wins and new pool records. This strong showing reflects the depth and speed of both teams.
In the women’s category, Dartmouth clinched the title with 1,940 points. GCU followed with 1,776 points, edging out Oakland (1,768), Eastern Michigan (1,471), and Wayne State (695). On the men’s side, GCU led with 2,091 points, just ahead of Dartmouth (2,076.5), with Oakland (1,786) and Wayne State (1,209.5) behind.
Individual awards were also notable. Senior Elisa Corradi had the highest point total among women, and senior Mario Perez scored the most for men. Sophomore Omar Elsayed snagged the men’s diving high-point title, while Dartmouth’s Maggie Lambdin took the women’s diving title.
GCU’s highlight came from their relay teams. The men’s 800-yard freestyle relay, consisting of Perez, Jasu Ovaskainen, Eli Cohen, and Guillermo Carrey, won with a time of 6:27.83. The women’s 200 medley relay featuring Luna Torre Ayala, Beth Young, Paula Martinez, and Sara Mose finished first in 1:40.50.
Corradi triumphed in the 200 individual medley, clocking in at 2:01.53. Carrey also set a pool record in the 50 freestyle with a remarkable time of 19.51 seconds.
In an impressive feat, GCU tied the pool record for the women’s 400 freestyle relay and set a new record for the men’s event.
The team’s performance didn’t stop there. The women’s 800 freestyle relay took second place with a time of 7:22.69, featuring Marta Guasp, Taylor Stasny, Corradi, and Sara Mendoza. Stasny also earned a silver in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:01.60.
Strong third-place finishes came from sophomore Batu Servi in the men’s 500 freestyle and freshman Sara Mendoza in the women’s 100 freestyle.
Records were broken throughout the meet. Senior Alex Volkov shattered the men’s 100 backstroke pool record with a time of 46.21, and his lead in the 400 medley relay also set a facility record. The men’s 400 medley relay as a whole posted a new pool record of 3:07.55.
GCU’s continued dominance in the pool, highlighted by numerous wins and records, signals a promising trajectory as they approach championship season.
As swimming becomes even more competitive across college sports, GCU’s commitment to excellence is clear. Recent trends show that more universities are investing in swimming programs, pushing athletes to reach new heights. According to a recent survey by the NCAA, the number of scholarships available for swim programs has increased by 20% in the past five years, enhancing the appeal of college swimming.
The Lopes are not just performing; they are setting themselves up as a powerhouse in collegiate athletics.
