Lopes swim to success in first meet of 2018

Saturday, January 6

Phoenix, Ariz.

1 PM

Grand Canyon

Cal Baptist

Photo by: Deb Schaffer

1/6/2018 6:48:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving

By: Nathan Okonek

PHOENIX--The Grand Canyon men's and women's swimming and diving team opened up 2018 with a home meet at the Fr Edward J. Reese Aquatic Center at Brophy Catholic College Preparatory.

The men came out on top against California Baptist University by a score of (162.50-136.50), while the women went 2-1 on the day, defeating New Mexico State University (180.00-118.00), California Baptist University (178.00-110.00) and losing to Rice University (154.00-126.00).

After a long break from competition, head coach Steve Schaffer was very pleased with his team and their all around performance.

"This was a good meet for us," Schaffer said. "It has been a long break from racing and we just finished our most difficult week of training for the season and I was very pleased with how everyone raced."

The men's 200 medley relay team consisting of Mark Nikolaev, Mazen El Kamash, Youssef El Kamash and Daniil Antipov added another accolade to their already impressive season, finishing in first with a time of (1:28.85). Noah Lambert, Mantas Auruskevicius, Owen Cameron and Cameron Carney finished in third place with a time of (1:35.95).

Youssef El Kamash and Mantas Auruskevicius both placed in the 100 yard breaststroke with El Kamash winning the event with a time of (56.12) and Auruskevicius coming in third at (57.59). Mazen El Kamash also took first in the 100 yard freestyle with a final time of (46.09) while Mark Nikolaev won the 200 yard backstroke with a time of (1:50.03).

Daniil Antipov lead the way in the 1000 yard freestyle with a first place time of (9:30.72) as well as the 200 yard butterfly with a time of (1:52.49), along with Mark Nikolaev winning the 100 yard backstroke with a time of (47.65), with Eran Ber (53.01) and Cameron Carney (53.09) finishing in third and fourth place. Bogdan Plavin also found him self in the winners circle, taking first in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of (21.05).

In the 3 meter dive, both Nick Benson and Michael Winfrey played in the top six, with Benson finishing with second place score of (277.50) and Winfrey finishing in fourth with a score of (218.10). Benson also finished in second in the 1 meter dive, with a score of (275.50) while Winfrey finished tied for third with a score of (256.35).

Although the women's team did not win all three meets, Schaffer was happy with how his team competed.

"Our women's team really stepped up today and had an excellent showing," Schaffer said. "They had two solid wins against New Mexico State and Cal Baptist and they kept the Rice meet much closer than I expected."

The women's 400 yard freestyle relay of Roaia Mashaly, Diana Jaruseviciute, Estela Davis Ortiz and Samiha Mohsen finished in first with a time of (3:28.29) while the women's 200 medley relay team consisting of Iryna Glavnykm Marina McInelly, Diana Jaruseviciute and Samiha Mohsen also finished on top with a first place time of (1:44.39).

Glavnykm also finished first in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of (57.14) while Alyssa Christianson and Marina McInelly finished in second and third in the 100 yard breaststroke with times of (1:05.66) and (1:05.79). Jaruseviciute also took first in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of (23.56) and in the 100 yard butterfly with a time (57.35), with Christianson also finishing first in the 200 yard breaststroke with a winning time of (2:18.51).

Estela Davis Ortiz earned a second place finish in the 200 yard butterfly with a time of (2:05.86) and also in the 200 yard backstroke with a time of (2:03.35).

In the 3 meter dive, Menna Elmidany finished in third with a score of (209.20) and also finished in third in the 1 meter dive with a score of (234.50).

As the Lopes head into another week of practice, head coach Steve Schaffer feels confident in his team moving forward in 2018.

"We had to work for the win and it was just what we needed as we close out the season with some very tough meets before the WAC and NCAA Championships."

Catch Grand Canyon swimming and diving in action at home one last time next Saturday Jan. 13 for Senior Day, as the Lopes welcome Brigham Young University to Phoenix. We will honor our 13 seniors and thank them for their years of loyal commitment and hard work to Grand Canyon and the swimming and diving program.

The address for Brophy Catholic College Preparatory is 4800 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85012.

Easiest parking and access to the pool will be on the south side of campus, by the Piper Math & Science building. Take the walk way next to the baseball field at the end of the south parking lot.

For meet updates and results, follow us on Twitter at @GCU_Lopes and @GCU_Swimming.