Courtesy: Milligan Athletics
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (February 12, 2022) – The Milligan University swim teams claimed both Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championships as the Buffs won eight of 12 AAC titles on the final day of AAC Championships at the Kingsport Aquatic Center on Saturday.
“Fantastic meet all around, we could not have asked for more,” said head coach Spencer Scarth. “Our team has had a lot of ups and downs this season, but once again, they rose to the challenge. Particularly proud of our seniors and graduates, who have transformed this program into a consistent conference contender. We are looking forward to more accomplishments in a few weeks!”
In total, Milligan collected 27 of 36 total AAC championships over the three-day event. The Buffs won 14 women’s championships (10 individual, four relay) and 13 men’s titles (eight individual, five relay). The Buffs set nine AAC Championships records (four individual, five relay) at the 2022 championships. The Buffs became the second team to ever sweep AAC men’s and women’s championships, joining Wheeling Jesuit in 2014. The Buffs set 12 school records (six women’s records, six men’s records) at the event.
Sophomore Gabby MacPherson and freshman Andre Bazzana both were awarded AAC Swimmer of the Meet honors and head coach Spencer Scarth was tabbed as the AAC Men’s Coach of the Year.
Milligan’s women posted a team score of 794 points, nearly 300 points ahead of second place Breanu (501 points). The men’s swim team racked up 977 points while WVU Tech came in second with 503 points. Both of Milligan’s team scores were the highest in program history.
MacPherson claimed gold medals in the 500 yard freestyle, 1650 free and 200 fly and swam on four first-place relays. Bazzana won AAC championships in the 500 free, 200 free and 200 fly and was on all five of Milligan’s title-winning relays. MacPherson set the AAC Championship record in the 200 fly and Bazzana set championship records in the 500 free and 200 free.
MacPherson opened the last finals session with a gold medal in the 1650 freestyle in 17:48.68. Emma Rae Phillips finished second in the mile in 18:21.87.
Mitchell Martin placed third in the men’s 1650 freestyle in 17:03.57.
Tyler Cates won her second backstroke championship of 2022 as she took the title in the 200 back in 2:04.42. Rachel Scheffer earned silver in 2:14.49 and Mackenzie LaFrance won bronze with a 2:16.48 effort.
Stephen Gilbert won his individual AAC crown in the 200 back in 1:49.25. Ethan McCosh secured a second-place finish in 1:59.07.
Maggie Blazo swam 53.46 and Liz Mahan clocked in at 53.54 in the 50 freestyle to finish second and third respectively. Cole Brusher earned a bronze medal in the 50 free in 47.10.
Kaylee Williams completed her sweep of the breaststroke events with a 2:28.05 to win the 200 breast. Mirella Rutigliano took third in the 200 breast in 2:37.85. Aubin Dulin also snagged bronze in the men’s 200 breast in 2:08.07.
MacPherson won the 200 fly with an AAC Championship record time of 2:06.43. Suzy Aguirre scooped a bronze medal in the 200 fly in 2:18.48.
Bazzana won his third and final individual championship in the 200 fly in 1:51.61.
Milligan closed out the meet with two more relay titles and AAC Championship records in the 400 yard freestyle relay. MacPherson, Mahan, Phillips and Blazo combined to swim 3:35.40. Gilbert, Bazzana, Wiktor Perkowski and Brusher won the relay in 3:04.47. Milligan finished five-for-five in men’s relay titles and four-for-five in women’s relay championships, with a disqualification accounting for the only missing championship. Milligan’s men became the first unit to ever sweep all five relay championships in one year.
Milligan swimming concludes its season at the NAIA National Championships scheduled for March 2-5 in Columbus, Ga.