Milligan Swimming wraps up regular season against Lees-McRae

BOONE, N.C. (January 29, 2022) – Milligan University's nationally-ranked swim teams concluded their regular season with a dual meet against Lees-McRae at the Watauga County Recreation Center on Saturday.

Milligan took the dual meet on the men's side 176-80, while Lees-McRae emerged victorious in the women's meet, 148-87. The Buffs competed in Saturday's meet shorthanded, missing several swimmers from a variety of disciplines from both teams.

"Typically this is a very tough time of the year to be excited and 'up' for a meet," said head coach Spencer Scarth. "But our team did an outstanding job of showing up and swimming with passion. With quarantines and isolations, even as late as this morning, we had a number of changes in our meet lineup and our team handled it very well. I know that the strength of our schedule, combined with how our team has handled other unique challenges that have been thrown at them left and right throughout the year, will really pay off as we head into championship season."

Milligan's men's 200 medley relay unit of Ethan McCosh, Ben Hawkins, Andre Bazzana and Aubin Dulin posted an NAIA "A" standard of 1:37.42.

Stephen Gilbert took first place with national qualifying times in the in the 50 free (21.75), 100 free (47.94) and 200 free (1:46.66).

Gabby MacPherson swam a national qualifying time in the 200 free (1:59.25) and took first in the 50 fly (27.29).

Tyler Cates won the 50 back (28.97) and took first in the 100 back with a national qualifying mark (1:01.78).

McCosh won the 100 fly with a national qualifying time of 52.30. He added another first place finish in the 100 back in 54.58.

Bazzana picked up wins in the 500 freestyle (5:04.56) 1000 freestyle (10:01.34)

Perkowski won the 50 back (24.19) and 50 fly (23.08).

Bre Coley had an NAIA national qualifying time in the 100 breast (1:10.48). On the men's side, Hawkins (58.90) and Dulin (59.11) finished one-two and also turned in national qualifying efforts. Dulin also collected a win in the 200 IM (2:01.29).

Milligan swimming turns its attention to the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) championship meet. The AAC Championships begin Feb. 10.