Lopes win duals in season's home debut

Friday, November 1

Phoenix, Ariz.

Grand Canyon

268

Arizona Christian

Photo by: Jayden Todd

11/2/2024 4:39:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving

Martinez Moreno continues impressive run of early races

By: Nathan Peters

Grand Canyon came out on top this weekend with dominant home wins in all five of the dual matchups Friday and Saturday.

A few members of the Lopes swam off events to get times on the season. Some stuck to their usual events as GCU won men's and women's dual meets against Arizona Christian and Ottawa (Arizona). The men also defeated Simon Fraser 198-117 in the closest competition.

GCU junior Paula Martinez Moreno had an impressive 100-yard butterfly time of 54.57 seconds, which was a half-second from the pool record at Fr Edward A. Reese Aquatic Center.

Lopes freshman Batu Servi had an impressive 500 freestyle, touching at a season-best 4 minutes 30.16 seconds, a time that ranks second in the WAC.

GCU senior Sam Jennings came back from injury with a strong 200 backstroke time of 1:47.02.

Sophomore teammate Jasu Ovaskainen had a butterfly time of 48.76 seconds, just under his season best.

Senior Maria Brunlehner continues to be an elite swimmer for the Lopes. On Friday, Brunlehner had a 100 freestyle time of 51.02 seconds, coming off illness to still win the race.

GCU junior Marta Guasp (5:07.59) had a strong 500 freestyle, along with sophomore Summer Dean (5:07.74).

Elisa Corradi, in her second season with the Lopes, had an impressive 100 butterfly time of 56.45 seconds, an event she does not normally swim.

Saturday's action included a fast 50 freestyle from senior Atu Ambala at 21.11 seconds.

The women's 200 freestyle from Guasp (1:53.11) and Martinez Moreno (1:53.68) were both significant times from the day. Martinez Moreno also had a strong 200 butterfly of 2:03.71.

GCU junior Eli Cohen posted an impressive split of 8.7 seconds in the 200 freestyle relay.

Mario Perez, a junior transfer, touched at 20.47 seconds to take first place for the Lopes.

In the 1,000 freestyle, Servi and freshman Easton Mousser took first and third place, respectively, with times of 9:29.23 and 9:29.74.

The Lopes will host Air Force next Friday and Saturday at Fr Edward A. Reese Aquatic Center.

This weekend's team scores can be found here.