ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Fresno Pacific continued to shine at the NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships on both the men’s and women’s side as the men look for their first team-title and the women continue to rewrite the record books. The men currently lead by over 100 points going into the final day of competition while the women broke three national records with two coming individually by
Cheyenne Coffman.
Coffman won the 100 backstroke breaking her own national record set last year.
Alicia Cleveland finished eighth for the Sunbirds in the same event.
The Sunbird women also took both relays: the 200 freestyle relay and the 400 medley relay. Coffman led off the 200 freestyle relay with a national record in the 50 freestyle as the first female under 23 seconds with a 22.90. The women also finished the night with a national record in the 400 medley relay, putting them four-for-four in relays at the national championships.
The men also had several victories to extend their lead over California Baptist.
Carl Weigley and
Erik Thiessen won the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke, respectively. The men also finished the night off with a victory in the 400 medley relay, giving the men their second relay victory of the meet.
Raymond Eggert finished second in the 400 individual medley while
Steven Piggott placed fourth in the 200 freestyle.
Brooke Turner and
Megan Smith finished third and fifth, respectively, in the 200 freestyle for the women.
Bart Kelly and
Lauren Malthaner both were championship finalists in the 100 breaststroke for the Sunbirds, finishing third and fifth, respectively.
Thiessen’s victory in the 100 backstroke was complimented with a second place finish from
Gerald Gee.
“The meet is not over yet,” explained Head Coach Peter Richardson. “If we can come out strong [Saturday] morning and get swimmers into finals, we can put the meet out of reach."
The men currently have 466.5 points followed by Cal Baptist’s 364 points. Despite the women’s big victories, the women fell to third place, but are still within range. Savannah College of Art and Design leads with 386 points and Cal Baptist is in second with 328 points. The Sunbirds narrowly trail Cal Baptist with 316 points.
The NAIA Championships conclude on Saturday, March 6 with finals beginning at 6 p.m. CST.