Completed Event: Men's Swimming and Diving versus Arizona Christian on December 13, 2025 ,
M Swimming
vs Arizona Christian
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Saturday, October 15
Las Cruces, N.M.
TBD
Grand Canyon
at
UTPB
Lopes sweep NM State and UTPB at first meet
10/16/2016 9:29:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
Las Cruces, N.M. – The Grand Canyon University swimming and diving program walked away with three victories at the first meet on Saturday, winning all but one event. Both teams dominated UTPB 226-68 on the men's side and 237-44 on the women's. The women's team also outscored fellow WAC rival New Mexico State 185-115.
The women stepped up this weekend and shined. Estela Davis Ortiz snagged two first place finishes in the 100-(56.28) and. 200-yd back (2:02.21) in addition to a first place finish in the 100-yd butterfly (56.44).
The Lopes also earned the top three spots in the 50- and 100-yd freestyle events. Jovanna Koens finished first in both, with times of 24.08 in the 50-yd free and 52.81 in the 100-yd free.
"This was an absolutely fantastic showing by our women's team," Head Coach Steve Schaffer said. "After two tough losses to NM State last year, we wanted to come away with a win today and we exceeded our own expectations."
The freshmen had some stellar first place performances as well, including Elisha Walker in the 1000-yd freestyle (10:44.01), Rebecca Håkansson in the 200-yd IM (2:08.44) and the 200- (1:55.34) and 500-yd freestyle (5:11.91) and Alyssa Christianson in the 200-yd butterfly (2:09.40) as well as the 200-yd breaststroke (2:19.55).
On the men's side, one of the Lopes' newest recruits, Bogdan Plavin, is proving to be an excellent addition, finishing first in both the 50- (20.75) and 100-yd freestyle (46.52).
One of the Lopes top performers last season, Mark Nikolaev, didn't miss a beat in the water, claiming three individual titles and a first place finish in the 200-yd medley relay (1:33.84) along with Jackson Buyers, Nathon Burwick and Daniel Pope.
The Grand Canyon diving team swept all their events for the first time. Leading the Lopes was Menna Elmidany whose shown tremendous improvement, setting a new team record in the 3-meter dive with a score of 253.35 and finishing first in the 1-meter dive (251.45).
"We have a long way to go, but we are off to a really good start," Schaffer added.
The Lopes have a recovery week ahead before travelling to Seattle U for a two-day meet on Friday, Oct. 28 - Saturday, Oct. 29.
The women stepped up this weekend and shined. Estela Davis Ortiz snagged two first place finishes in the 100-(56.28) and. 200-yd back (2:02.21) in addition to a first place finish in the 100-yd butterfly (56.44).
The Lopes also earned the top three spots in the 50- and 100-yd freestyle events. Jovanna Koens finished first in both, with times of 24.08 in the 50-yd free and 52.81 in the 100-yd free.
"This was an absolutely fantastic showing by our women's team," Head Coach Steve Schaffer said. "After two tough losses to NM State last year, we wanted to come away with a win today and we exceeded our own expectations."
The freshmen had some stellar first place performances as well, including Elisha Walker in the 1000-yd freestyle (10:44.01), Rebecca Håkansson in the 200-yd IM (2:08.44) and the 200- (1:55.34) and 500-yd freestyle (5:11.91) and Alyssa Christianson in the 200-yd butterfly (2:09.40) as well as the 200-yd breaststroke (2:19.55).
On the men's side, one of the Lopes' newest recruits, Bogdan Plavin, is proving to be an excellent addition, finishing first in both the 50- (20.75) and 100-yd freestyle (46.52).
One of the Lopes top performers last season, Mark Nikolaev, didn't miss a beat in the water, claiming three individual titles and a first place finish in the 200-yd medley relay (1:33.84) along with Jackson Buyers, Nathon Burwick and Daniel Pope.
The Grand Canyon diving team swept all their events for the first time. Leading the Lopes was Menna Elmidany whose shown tremendous improvement, setting a new team record in the 3-meter dive with a score of 253.35 and finishing first in the 1-meter dive (251.45).
"We have a long way to go, but we are off to a really good start," Schaffer added.
The Lopes have a recovery week ahead before travelling to Seattle U for a two-day meet on Friday, Oct. 28 - Saturday, Oct. 29.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
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