Complete results

Charlotte, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte men's and women's swim team swept the Bluegrass Mountain Conference Championship laying claim to both the men's and women's trophy at the end of the four day meet. The final day saw the men's team take the title by over five hundred points with a score of 1548 as the women showed control with over a two hundred point difference with a 1518.

The last day of competition did not disappoint as the Royals continued to knock down records taking hold of seven new meet records and a national record by Hannah Peiffer in the 200 Yard Butterfly.

In addition to a conference championship win, Patricia Castro-Ortgea took the Swimmer of the Meet award for the women due to her spectacular, record shattering performances over the course of the event. Nicholas Arakelian received the honor on the men's side being named Swimmer of the Meet. Head Coach Jeff Dugdale would be presented with the 'Coach of the Year' award for both women and men's swim teams to put a bow on the week's performance.

"I could not be more proud of the student-athletes and what they've accomplished," said Head Coach Dugdale. "The student-athletes have embraced this university and this program. From the top-down we are starting to see the rewards. This is only the beginning of the process and we are looking forward to traveling to Indianapolis and continuing our winning ways there. It's great to be a Royal!'

The day started with the 1650 Yard Freestyle as Kathryn Johnston took a second place finish for a Division II "B" standard in the event. Her 17:00.95 finish could push her two fourth nationally if time stand as they are.

On the men's side, it was a one-two finish as Nicholas Arakelian and Alex Menke closed out the event. Arakelian's time of 15:11.07 would place him first in the nation (if times remain), giving him the meet record and an automatic qualifying time for the NCAA's. Menke took second place with yet another automatic qualifying time for the Royals with is 15:18.32 for the event. His time currently sits third in the nation.

In the 200 Yard Backstroke, Caroline Arakelian sought a first place finish touching the wall for Division II 'A' standard time of 1:57.40 and narrowly missing her conference record time from the year prior.

Parallel for the event, Ben Taylor clinched a first place finish in the 200 Yard Backstroke with a Division II 'B' standard time of 1:46.09. Zachary Phelps secured a third place spot coming in off the toes off Taylor, to touch for a 1:47.09 time

Castro-Ortega dominance continued through the meet with a record breaking swim in the 100 Yard Freestyle. Touching the wall at 49.31, her Division II 'A' standard time posts her second on the national stage.

In yet another record event for Niclas Eriksson, the 200 Yard Breaststroke gave him gold as he took the conference record with a 1:55.97 time in a race that would see him first on the national standings, if times remain.  

Hannah Peiffer dominated the water in the 200 Yard Butterfly, setting both meet record and a national record, touching the wall at 1:58.32. This Division II 'A' standard time secured her the first place spot on the national stage.

Not to be outdone on the last night of competition, Josa took one more individual first place finish for the Royals in the 200 Yard Butterfly, setting a new meet record at 1:44.97 and topping the national list by close to three seconds.

The relay team of Castro-Ortega, Arakelian, Lillian Gordy, and Alexandra Marshall, respectfully, set a new meet record with a 3:20.92 for the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay with their first place finish.

The evening concluded with the men's 400 Yard Freestyle Relay as Josa, Taylor, John Suther, and Hayden Kosater, respectfully, out-touched their opponents, clinching a first place time of 2:57.80, setting the one last conference record.

The Royals look to take their momentum with them on the road as they head to NCAA in Indianapolis, Ind. on March 11.