(GENEVA, Ohio, Mar. 11) – For the first time in program history, the McKendree University swimming and diving program has claimed a National Champion at the NCAA Division-II Swimming and Diving Championships. Freshman
Fabio Dalu (Cagliari, Italy/Liceo L.B. Alberti Cagliari) won the first in the 1000 freestyle before the 200 medley relay team capped off the night with another title.
In total, the Bearcats took home seven All-American honors and one All-American Honorable Mention.
The men sit in first place after the first day with 92 points, 22 points ahead of second place. The women hold on to 23
rd place with six points.
To start off the finals session, Dalu cruised to a National title with a time of 8:59.50, setting a new pool record and beating the runner up by six seconds.
In the 50 freestyle, the Bearcats had two swimmers place in the top four with sophomore
Gregg Lichinsky (West Des Moines, IA/West Des Moines Valley High School) garnering second place with a time of 19.69 and junior
Alexander Skinner (Namibia, Africa/Windhoek Afrikaans Private School) taking fourth with a time of 19.76. Senior
Milica Sostarec (Subotica, Serbia/Medical High School) competed in the consolation final, taking third with a 23.30, taking All-American honorable mention honors.
The 200 medley relay team of freshman
Davante Carey (Nassau, Bahamas/Queens College), freshman
John Heaphy (Eagle River, AK/Eagle River High School), Lichinsky, and Skinner finished off the night with McKendree's second National Title, closing the race with a time of 1:25.29, a new pool record.
"Tonight was an amazing first finals session for the Bearcats. The team was so locked in to step up and perform for the team. Two national titles and one runner up finish is simply incredible," said head coach
Jimmy Tierney. "It is not easy to come off such a fabulous conference championships and expect these athletes to be as good if not even better. We were better in most cases. So proud of this group, long way to go!
Thursday's events will include the 200 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay, 400 IM, 100 butterfly, and 200 freestyle.
