The Ashland University swim and dive teams picked up wins last night against Mount Union on Senior Night. The men won by a score of 130-107, with the women emerging victorious as well by a final score of 162-80.  

Ashland ended up dominating in the event, winning multiple races. 

Two Eagles won competitions in one-and three-meter diving. Senior Joey Lenczyk scored 273.90 points in the one-meter dive, along with 282.65 points in the three meter. Junior Riley Hunt also scored 235.20 points in the one meter and 279.75 points in the three meter. 

In the individual swimming events, seniors Nick Girz (200-yard freestyle – 1:44.79) and Colleen Cox (50-yard freestyle – 25.20 seconds) stood out in their wins. Younger Eagles such as sophomore standout Yasmim Tomita (200-yard backstroke – 2:10.56) and Brooke Patel (200-yard breaststroke – 2:35.77) also played a part in Ashland’s win.  

Other winners involved were senior Robin Falk (men’s 200-yard individual medley – 1:57.21), and juniors Hannah Yemec (women’s 200-yard butterfly – 2:16.44), Payton O’Toole (women’s 100-yard freestyle – 54.13 seconds), and Grant Brown (men’s 500-yard freestyle – 5:01.32). 

Getting the job done on Senior Night was a huge deal for the program. 

“This class of seniors is special,” said Head Coach Sydney Laughlin, “They have grown together through thick and thin. They have gone through 3 head coaching changes and 2 assistant coaching changes.” 

Ashland wrapped up the winning by taking all 4 relay races, which included Tomita, Cox, Yemec and O’Toole in the 200-yard medley relay where they finished with a time of 1:50.35. The men’s team of junior Colin Pham, Girz, Falk and senior Andrew Oates in the same race earned a time of 1:34.92. Then in the 500-yard medleys, both men’s and women’s won respectively. Cox, Juliana Pignato, junior Blair Pichola, and O’Toole had a 1:41.83, and the men with Cole Huebner, Oates, Trei Durstine and Girz finished in 1:26.74. 

With only 3 meets to go, Coach Laughlin gave her Seniors advice, “It is bittersweet to see them go, but I like to think I still have 4 weeks till our conference championship before we really say goodbye. To the senior class of the swim team and AU, hold on to your favorite memories you have created here at AU. Know that this campus is always part of your home away from home, and that the people here truly care for you.” 

Their next meet will be next Friday night at 6pm when they travel to Bluffton.