Lopes rain on Lancers' Senior Day

Saturday, January 20

Riverside, Calif.

Grand Canyon

156

143

California Baptist

Photo by: Nathan Peters

1/20/2024 10:04:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving

GCU men win both duals behind wins from A.Volkov, Rom

By: Nathan Peters

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The Grand Canyon swimming and diving team survived unique conditions Saturday to beat WAC competitor California Baptist in men's and women's action.

Despite a rainy and cold afternoon in Riverside, the Lopes persevered to get revenge on the men's side, 156-143, while taking care of business on the women's side, 170-123, against CBU. In addition, the men defeated UC San Diego 158-133 while the women lost 160-123 to the Tritons.

Sophomore Alex Volkov claimed the first individual victory of the day for GCU when he went 47.25 seconds in the 100-yard backstroke.

From Volkov on, the Lopes won three more events in a row. Senior Raphaela Nakashima (1 minute, 2.87 seconds) and sophomore Jonathan Rom (55.69) each won the 100 breaststroke. Rom later won the 200 breaststroke in a time of 1:59.70, and the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:49.95.

Spaniard Paula Martinez Moreno won the 200 butterfly for the Lopes in 2:00.69. The second-place finisher was more than four seconds behind Moreno.

Volkov continued his winning ways with a first-place finish in the 100 breaststroke at 47.36 seconds.

GCU junior Fruzsi Macsok won the individual medley with a time of 2:05.81 seconds.

To close the day on the swimming side, the Lopes' 400 freestyle relay took first. The team of sophomore Yigit Eksioglu, freshman Guillermo Carrey Bosque, Volkov and sophomore Eli Cohen clocked in at 2:59.97.

In diving, GCU senior Reece Robles placed third in the 3-meter competition with 298.28 points.

Next, the Lopes will host UNLV at home for Senior Day on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m.

Full results from Saturday can be found here.