Gilbert, Renaud and Scarth sweep AAC awards; Milligan Swimming collects 52 All-AAC awards

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (February 13, 2023) – The Milligan University swimming teams captured the men's and women's Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) championships, swept the major awards and totaled 52 All-AAC honors at the conference championship meet this past weekend.

The Buffs claimed 31 of the 36 AAC individual and relay titles up for grabs at the conference championship meet. Milligan's men took home 15 titles (10 individual, five relay) on their way to a AAC-record third-straight conference championship. Milligan's women won 16 titles (11 individual, five relay) to win their second-consecutive AAC crown.

The Buffs combined to set 13 AAC Championship meet records (seven women's, six men's). Milligan became the first program to sweep AAC team titles in consecutive seasons. Both teams set AAC Championship meet records for championships won and total points.

"Outstanding weekend all around," said head coach Spencer Scarth. "Our team did an excellent job of supporting each other and pushing for faster times than they thought possible at this meet."

Peter Gilbert and Riley Renaud were honored as the AAC Swimmers of the Year and AAC Freshmen of the Year. Gilbert won AAC titles in the 500-yard freestyle, 1650-yard freestyle and 400-yard individual medley, setting meet records in both distance freestyle events. Renaud took home individual conference crowns in the 200 free, 500 free and the 1650 free. She set the Milligan and AAC Championship meet record in the mile.

"Riley and Peter had fantastic meets on little to no rest and we are looking forward to nationals for them," said Scarth.

Scarth took home AAC Coach of the Year honors for both the men's and women's sides, becoming a four-time AAC Coach of the Year.

The Buffs turn their attention to the NAIA National Championships. The championship meet will take place in Columbus, Ga. March 1-4.

"This is going to be an anxious week leading up to selections on Friday," said Scarth. "We are hoping to get as many team members into nationals as possible!"

Milligan's All-AAC Swimmers

All-AAC First Team (First-place finishes)

Mary Grace Bitting – 200 IM – 2:09.50
Tyler Cates – 100 Back – 58.33
Gabby MacPherson – 100 Fly – 57.68*
Gabby MacPherson – 200 Fly – 2:06.43*#
Liz Mahan – 50 Free – 24.81
Riley Renaud – 200 Free – 1:56.23
Riley Renaud – 500 Free – 5:05.71
Riley Renaud – 1650 Free – 17:29.07*#
Samantha van Vuure – 200 Back – 2:06.09
Kaylee Williams – 100 Breast – 1:04.82*
Kaylee Williams – 200 Breast – 2:22.92*#

Tyler Cates, Kaylee Williams, Rachel Connell, Gabby MacPherson – 200 Medley Relay – 1:50.55
Rachel Connell, Kaylee Williams, Gabby MacPherson, Samantha van Vuure – 400 Medley Relay – 3:57.64*
Liz Mahan, Gabby MacPherson, Tyler Cates, Mary Grace Bitting – 200 Free Relay – 1:39.73
Liz Mahan, Mary Grace Bitting, Gabby MacPherson, Samantha van Vuure – 400 Free Relay – 3:35.18*
Samantha van Vuure, Mary Grace Bitting, Liz Mahan, Gabby MacPherson – 800 Free Relay – 6:54.17

Andre Bazzana – 200 Free – 1:42.08
RJ Brumit – 100 Fly – 50.23
RJ Brumit – 100 Back – 52.23
Peter Gilbert – 500 Free – 4:36.69*
Peter Gilbert – 1650 Free – 16:02.25*
Peter Gilbert – 400 IM – 4:08.08
Stephen Gilbert – 200 IM – 1:51.47
Stephen Gilbert – 200 Back – 1:52.00
Stephen Gilbert – 200 Fly – 1:49.01*#
Ben Hawkins – 200 Breast – 2:05.03

RJ Brumit, Caleb Fry, Andre Bazzana, Stephen Gilbert – 200 Medley Relay – 1:32.06*
RJ Brumit, Ben Hawkins, Stephen Gilbert, Andre Bazzana – 400 Medley Relay – 3:25.70
Stephen Gilbert, Andre Bazzana, Zac Nelson, Caleb Fry – 200 Free Relay – 1:24.94*
Stephen Gilbert, Jayden Bearden, Andre Bazzana, Caleb Fry – 400 Free Relay – 3:04.40*
Jayden Bearden, Andre Bazzana, Peter Gilbert, Stephen Gilbert – 800 Free Relay – 6:54.17

All-AAC Second Team (Second-place finishes)

Mary Grace Bitting – 200 Free – 1:57.20
Mary Grace Bitting – 200 Fly – 2:06.77
Rachel Connell – 100 Fly – 59.59
Rachel Connell – 100 Back – 59.28
Liz Mahan – 200 Free – 54.65
Emma Rae Phillips – 1650 Free – 18:42.99
Mirella Rutigliano – 100 Breast – 1:09.96
Samantha van Vuure – 500 Free – 5:14.40
Samantha van Vuure – 400 IM – 4:40.69

Jack Allen – 200 Breast – 2:07.57
Andre Bazzana – 200 Fly – 1:53.33
Jayden Bearden – 200 Free – 1:42.16
Jayden Bearden – 200 Back – 1:54.67
Cole Brusher – 100 Fly – 50.62
Cole Brusher – 100 Free – 47.34
Caleb Fry – 50 Free – 21.10
Caleb Fry – 100 Breast – 56.84
Ben Hawkins – 200 IM – 1:57.87
Jacob Miller – 500 Free – 4:39.16
Jacob Miller – 1650 Free – 16.14.47
Jacob Miller – 400 IM – 4:13.06

* - AAC Record
# - Milligan Record