The Piedmont University women’s swimming team defeated Point University at their home-opening dual by a score of 177-45. The program also honored the women of the 2022-23 team that won the Independent South Swimming Conference Championship by presenting them with their championship rings before the meet began.
The Lady Lions had an excellent meet, dominating nearly every event from the jump. In the first event of the day, Caroline Massaro, Madison Nance, Tressie Polk, and Olivia Smith won the 200-yard medley relay with a 2:00.28.
Lauren Stone picked up two wins on the day, with the first in the 1000 yard freestyle (12:40.83) and the second in the 500 yard freestyle (6:08.89).
Massaro continued her dominant start to the 2023-24 season, winning the 100-yard backstroke by exactly four seconds. She was far from done, picking up win number three later in the day, swimming a 2:22.51 in the 200 yard backstroke.
Not to be outdone, Nance also picked up her second win on the day, turning in 1:14.82 in the 100 yard breaststroke. She also picked up a third win later in the day, swimming a 2:29.57 in the 200 yard IM.
Polk secured her second win of the day in the 200 yard butterfly, finishing with a time of 2:42.78.
Freshman newcomer Kelly Mashburn announced her presence with a win in the 50 yard freestyle (26.77), narrowly out touching teammate Olivia Smith (27.84).
Avonlea Kirby started off her second year in the program on a high note, winning the 200 yard breaststroke (2:51.25) with teammate Liz Arrendale finishing in second (2:58.25).
Finally, to close out the day, Jenise Waithe, Stone, Polk, and Massaro won the 400 yard medley relay, turning in a collective finish of 4:14.54.
Up next, the Lady Lions travel to Sewanee on Saturday, September 30 for a dual with the Tigers.
Men’s team
The Piedmont University men’s swimming team bested Point University in the opening duel of the 2023-24 season by a score of 177-67.
The Lions wasted no time in the meet, collecting their first win of the season in the first event. Freshman Eddie Choi joined returners Erick Fortner, Luke Borgmann and Ross Coppedge for the 200 yard medley relay and a time of 1:37.22.
Leandro Forero picked up right where he left off last season and captured wins in the 1000 yard freestyle (10:22.95) and the 500 yard freestyle (5:01.95).
Freshman Perry Westbrook had a great first performance for the Lions, winning the 200 yard freestyle (1:52.84) by over two seconds.
Fellow freshman Eddie Choi picked up his first individual win in the 100 yard backstroke (53.32), finishing well over six seconds ahead of the rest of the field. He followed later in the meet with his second win in the 200 yard backstroke, turning in a final time of 2:03.46.
Borgmann also grabbed his first individual win of the season shortly after Choi, placing first in the 200 yard butterfly (2:08.54). Glynn Morgan finished right behind Borgmann with a 2:16.49.
In the 50 yard freestyle, Ross Coppedge swam a tightly contested race against fellow Lion Alex Pangelinan, narrowly out touching him by .12 seconds. Coppedge turned in a 22:66 while Pangelinan touched in 22.78.
Fortner continued his success from last season, winning the 200 yard backstroke. He recorded a time of 2:14.46 and was followed closely behind by freshman Obed Miranda who finished in 2:16.46.
Finally, to cap off the day, Borgmann, Westbrook, Brendan Fraher and Murphy O’brien Won the 400 yard medley freestyle relay with a 3:21.03. They narrowly out placed another group of Lions by just .77 seconds.
Up next, Piedmont travels to Sewanee for their second meet of the season on Saturday, September 30.
