Peter Gilbert and Riley Renaud set records in swimming dual at Carson-Newman

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (November 11, 2022) – Milligan University's nationally-ranked swim teams squared off with NCAA Division II swimming powerhouse Carson-Newman in the Buffs' final pre-midseason dual meet on Friday evening.

The Buffs set a pair of program records, racked up numerous top-10 national marks and secured 21 NAIA provisional national qualifying times at the meet.

"Lots of really outstanding swims at just the beginning of our midseason taper (for some)," said head coach Spencer Scarth. "Our 1000 group was phenomenal, with Peter and Riley shattering school records in both while Jacob, Michael and Apple had very strong swims as well. Many more B cuts than what we were expecting from this meet as we still have a few recovering from illness.

CNU emerged victorious 117-88 in the men's meet and 141-64 in the women's final tally.

"Being without women's co-captain Gabby MacPherson hurt," said Scarth. "But our women stepped up against a very impressive top-10 women's program in Carson Newman, while the men made this a much tighter race than was anticipated. We are looking forward to some seriously fast swimming next week in Ohio!"

Peter Gilbert set Milligan's men's 1000-yard freestyle record with the top in time in the nation this season, 9:33.69. Jacob Miller recorded the No. 4 time in the NAIA this year in 9:56.84, and Michael Cellucci has a top-15 mark in the NAIA in 10:12.05. Gilbert and Miller also notched provisional marks in the 500 free with Gilbert swimming 4:39.97 and Miller finishing in 4:48.67.

Riley Renaud posted the No. 3 time in the NAIA in and set the Milligan record in the women's 1000-yard freestyle (10:31.23) and Apple Burton added a top-15 time nationally (11:08.19). Renaud also snagged a provisional mark and top-five national time in the 500 free (5:12.37).

In the men's 400 medley relay, Stephen Gilbert, Caleb Fry, Ethan McCosh and Andre Bazzana swam 3:26.34, the third-fastest time nationally this season. Tyler Cates, Kaylee Williams, Mary Grace Bitting and Liz Mahan swam the fourth-fastest women's 400 medley relay in 3:59.84.

Stephen Gilbert posted a pair of top-five national times and provisional marks in the 200 individual medley (1:55.29) and 100 backstroke (51.72).

Samantha van Vuure recorded a provisional time in the 200 freestyle (1:56.42), it was the sixth-fastest mark in event this season. Van Vuure (58.97) and Cates (59.54) had national provisional swims in the 100 backstroke with top-10 times.

Bazzana (1:43.84) and Jayden Bearden (1:47.49) both picked up national provisional marks in the 200 free. Bazzana (51.03) and McCosh (50.88) had provisional times and top-10 national marks in the 100 fly. Alex Hayashi and provisional mark in the women's 100 fly (59.90), along with Rachel Connell (1:01.32).

Liz Mahan in the women's 50 free (25.51) and Fry in the men's 50 free (21.47) secured national provisional times in the event. Mahan also scored a provisional swim in the 100 free (54.95). Fry and Ben Hawkins secured provisional times and top-six national standing in the 100 breast as Fry swam 57.47 and Hawkins finished in 58.15.

Williams swam 1:06.57 in the women's 100 breaststroke, good for a top-10 national mark and provisional time. Bitting went 2:12.47 in the 200 IM, good for a provisional time.

The Buffs turn their attention to their midseason meet, the Kenyon High Performance Invite in Gambier, Ohio on Nov. 17-19.