Men's Swimming & Diving 2/18/2023 10:30:00 PM

Men's Swimming Takes Home CCSA Conference Title, Women's Team Claims Third Place

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After a dominating performance from the first day to the very last, Queens Men's Swimming is the 2023 Coastal Collegiate Sports Association Swimming and Diving Champions! The Royals emerged victorious following an incredible four-day championship event at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center. The team finished with 933.5 total points, 138.5 points more than the second-place finisher.

This accomplishment marks the first conference championship as a Division I program and the team's ninth all-time conference championship victory.

The women also performed at a high level throughout the week, concluding the event with a third-place finish. They scored 1119 total points, only being outscored by James Madison in second place, and the champions, Liberty.

Matej Dusa kicked off the final day of finals with a record-setting, first-place time in the 100 free at 42.78. Daniel Meszaros came in right behind him with a time of 43.10. Kimani Gregory (45.09) and Conner Wang (44.89) also managed top-10 finishes, placing sixth and ninth, respectively.

Danielle Melilli and Monica Gumina followed suit in the women's 100 free, taking first and second with times of 49.13 and 49.53, respectively.

Luke Erwee concluded his week with a top spot in the 1650 free.

Sophia Lange set one of the many records Queens set on the day in the women's 1650 free, coming in at 16:20.40. Teammate Katherine Bailey was close behind in third, finishing with a time of 16:48.33.

The good times continued to roll as, in the 200 back, Andreas Marz touched the wall first and set Queens' second record of the night with a time of 1:43.98. Alexander Bauch took second finishing at 1:46.24, while Yannick Plasil rounded out the top three with a time of 1:47.65.

Tova Andersson claimed a sixth-place finish in the women's 200 back coming in at 1:59.61.

As they had all evening, Queens dominated in another event, the 200 breast. Four Royals made up the top-five, led by Noah Beladi who hit the pad at 1:56.32. Jan Delkeskamp took second with a time of 1:57.61, quickly followed by Declan Gleason in third (1:57.63). Balazs Berecz also earned points, finishing fifth at 1:58.34.

In the final individual event, the women's 200 breast, Annika Huber dashed to a time of 2:11.19, claiming the top spot and breaking the meet record. Maike Jung (2:16.80) and Sarah Brown (2:17.96) would take fifth and sixth place, respectively.

The night concluded in Royal fashion, with both the men's and women' 400 free relay squads breaking the record in their respective event. Alex Kunert, Matej Dusa, Daniel Meszaros, and Luke Erwee posted a first-place time of 2:53.31. On the women's side, Danielle Melilli, Monica Gumina, Sophia Lange, and Ryley Heck took the top spot at 3:19.33.

AWARD-WINNERS
Most Outstanding Men's Swimmer of the Championship - Alex Kunert
Most Outstanding Women's Swimmer of the Championship - Danielle Melilli
Most Outstanding Men's Freshman Performer - Daniel Meszaros
Most Outstanding Women's Freshman Performer - Annika Huber
Coach of the Year - Jeff Dugdale

COACH'S WORDS
"We made a lot of memories tonight winning all individual events but one and going 1-2 or 1-2-3 in two of them" said head coach Jeff Dugdale. "I was so proud of our captains and our seniors as it was important for them to "Be The First" in our school's transition to Division I. Thank you family, friends, fans, and sponsors as our journey would not be the same without you."

FINAL MEN'S TEAM SCORES (TOP THREE)