Swimming cruises past Union in AAC dual meet

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (October 14, 2023) – Milligan University's swimming teams defeated Union in a dual meet in Kentucky on Saturday.

The Buffs won the men's meet 187-72 and triumphed on the women's side 201-42. Milligan 11 individual women's events, 10 men's individual events and all four relays.

"Our times today reflected where we are with training, and had we swam extraordinarily fast today I would have been a bit worried," said head coach Spencer Scarth. "We swam exactly as we expected to, given that we had a much more challenging week with training and lifting. We were definitely feeling it on our starts and turns."

Mary Grace Bitting (1:58.89) and Hanne te Velthuis (2:01.14) notched national provisional marks in the women's 200-yard freestyle. Te Velthuis also hit the standard in the 50 free (25.49) and 100 free (55.59).

Stephen Gilbert hit the provisional standard in the men's 200 free (1:44.96). Paxton Smith (21.49) and Caleb Fry (21.73) both posted provisional swims in the 50 free.

Tyler Cates won the women's 100-yard and 50-yard backstroke events. She won the 100 back in 1:02.80 and the 50 in 29.57.

Riley Renaud won the 1000 free (10:57.14) and 500 free (5:24.37), notching a provisional mark in the 500.

"Relays did a great job in stepping up in some unusual spots, and we found possible new events for some people," said Scarth. "Our main focus continues to be on next weekend and seeing what we can do in a dual against a very good DI opponent, and our team is already very excited about that opportunity."

The Buffs travel to NCAA Division I Gardner Webb next Saturday.