Courtesy: Oakland Athletics
ROCHESTER, Mich. –The Oakland men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams competed in the annual Black and Gold Intrasquad meet Friday from the Oakland Aquatic Center.
“As a staff we were really pleased with our overall performance tonight,” Head Coach Pete Hovland said. “On the women’s side we were led, once again, by Susan LaGrand, Sydney McDowell and Emily Aycock. Susan’s swims in her off-events tonight were very impressive. On the men’s side we had a number of outstanding swims as well. The two that stick out the most came from Sophomores Christian Bart in the 200 Breast (1:59.81). CB’s time was a PB and the first sub 2:00 breast in school (dual meet) history and last year’s Swimmer-of-the-Year Marko Khotneytski’s 200 backstroke (1:44) was just slightly slower than his conference winning time in February. Other top performances came from Danylo Hrebelyni, Andrew Bernsdorff, Ben Davis, and Bernie Turchi (diving) along with newcomers Mia Kiarenen and Jake Wike.”
Susan LaGrand a native of Rapids, Mich. is coming off a stellar sophomore season after being named Swimmer of the Meet, and Athlete of the Year at the 2020 Horizon League Swimming and Diving Championships. LaGrand was also named GEICO Horizon League Winter Scholar-Athlete of the Season in April.
The junior notched three top finishes on the day 200 free (1:50.61), 200 fly (2:03.08) and the 200 medley relay team of Sydney McDowell, Mia Keranen and Jenna Maas (1:43.67).
Keranen had an impressive debut as the Fenton, Mich. native raced to three top finishes for the Black team. In addition to the 200 medley team win, Keranen placed first in the 50 free (23.87), 100 free (52.17).
Sophomore Kiera Brough earned two individual top finishes in the 200 IM (2:05.20), and 200 back (2:03.02). Brough and teammates Ryan Geheb, Will Barton and Elise Cassidy led the Black team in the 400 free relay, placing second overall.
Sophomore Emily Aycock picked up right where she left off a season ago after being named Horizon League Freshman of the Year, racing to three top finishes in Friday’s meet. Aycock placed first in the 1000 free in 10:18.61, 500 free (5:01.61), and was part of the winning 400 free relay team of Denise Lenhard, Mack Flowers and Connor Brownell (3:19.38).
On the men’s side, Christian Bart went three-of-three for top times including the 50 free (20.58), 200 breaststroke (1:59.81) and the 200 medley relay with Marko Khotynetskyi, Flowers and Gabe Trevino (1:29.05).
Westerville, Ohio native Andrew Bernsdorf placed first in the 200 IM (1:50.81), second in the 500 free (4:37.34) and third in the 400 free relay with teammates Ian Allen, Julia Cook and Lizzy McKenna (3:26.46).
Danylo Hrebelnyl led the Black team in the 200 fly (1:50.07), ousting the competition by nearly seven seconds. The junior finished the 200 free in second (1:39.63) and second in the 200 medley relay (1:30.87).
“I think there was a lot of pent-up emotion in a lot of our swims tonight. This was a long time coming and we are grateful for the opportunity. Even with a number of our top swimmers opting-out this semester I think we showed we are ready for whatever is thrown at us come February and championship season,” Hovland said.
The Golden Grizzlies also recognized the 2019 Horizon League Champions in a ring ceremony prior to the start of the meet.