Wingate and Catawba Off to Fast Start at NCAA Championships

EVANSVILLE, IND. -- Catawba and Wingate each had relay teams compete at day one of the NCAA Men's and Women's Swimming Championships at the Deaconess Aquatic Center. The first day consisted of one event for each gender, the 800 yard freestyle relay. 

On the women's side, Catawba finished in seventh place in the event and earned 24 points to sit in seventh place overall. The quartet of Marite Reckmann, Ella Gutenwik, Danielle Meinema and Fernanda Regina Pera Dos Santos broke a school record with a mark of 7:19.77. The placing was good for a First Team All-America performance.

Wingate came one spot behind, finishing in eighth to garner 22 points. The team of Nina Azirovic, Elizabeaula Ozolam, Nisagul Serdar and Giulianna Garcia touched in 7:21.11. 

The men saw Wingate earn a sixth-place finish and First Team All-America accolades. Yassine Sebbata, Tymofii Chemeryk, Joel Thompson and Anton Witzell touched in 6:23.57 to earn 26 points for the Bulldogs. 

Catawba placed 12th with Cameron Watson, Sammer Abdallah, Lassi Niemi and George Fykatas breaking a school record in the event with a time of 6:31.47. This is the second straight year Catawba claimed All-America in the 800 free relay as they earned Second Team honors.