Results
SHERMAN – Wayland Baptist women's swim team made history here Friday evening by recording the first dual win for the first-year program. Competing in Hannah Natatorium, the WBU women topped Austin College, 77-66, while the Pioneer men also prevailed over the Kangaroos, 109-62.
"This was a little bit of a surprise," WBU coach Alyson Hannan said of her women's team's initial victory. "We knew we had a chance, but didn't know we were going to win. The girls are excited."
It was the fifth head-to-head competition for the WBU women, who were buoyed by the recent roster addition of sisters Laura and Judith Winter of Germany. The sisters, who arrived on campus Jan. 2, teamed with Vianney Trujillo and Alyxus Chavarria to qualify for NAIA Nationals in the 200-yard medley relay in a time of 2 minutes, 6.49 seconds. Laura Winter also made the cut for nationals in the 50 free (25.86).
"There was some relief on the women's side to now be able to say, 'We're going to nationals,'" Hannan said.
Meanwhile, Trujillo just missed qualifying for nationals in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.16).
"We've been training real hard since we got back (from holiday break) Jan. 2, so some of the times were not where they wanted them to be," Hannan said. "For the amount of training we're doing right now, they did well."
The coach explained that she amped up training this week because classes haven't been in session and she's getting in as much practice as possible.
For the men, who improved their duals record to 3-2 with Friday's win over Austin College, Hannan said she was pleased to see the Pioneers win fairly handily.
"We expected that, in part because we just have more guys than (Austin College)," she said.
The latest national qualifier for the WBU men is recently-eligible Brandon Rodriguez, who met the standard as part of the 800 freestyle relay team. Rodriguez , Nathan McCormick, Hugo Gallegos and Gabriel Phillips won the race in 7:37.06.
"We'll focus on getting his individual (events) qualified tomorrow," Hannan said of the plans for Rodriguez on Saturday when Wayland competes in an invitational against Austin College, McMurry, UT-Permian Basin and Centenary (La.).
Like the women, Hannan called Friday's dual a "rough meet" for the men due to their increased training of late.
"They're tired from all the training we've been doing," she said. "We're focusing toward the end of our season and what we're trying to accomplish in March. All of our training is focused on getting them ready for that."
Hannan said she'll back off their team's training regimen next week as classes get back under way on Wednesday.
"We'll get back on a regular schedule," she said.
Meanwhile, the WBU men hope to challenge for a top place at Saturday's invitational, which starts at 1 p.m.
"Hopefully, they'll step up and swim really fast tomorrow," she said. "The guys are hoping to make a go for first or second."
Wayland Baptist University vs. Austin College
Women
Wayland Baptist 77, Austin College 66
200 Medley Relay: 1. WBU (Judith Winter, Vianney Trujillo, Laura Winter, Alyxus Chavarria), 2:06.49
200 Free: 2. Chavarria, 2:32.75.
50 Free: 1. L.Winter, 25.86; 3. J.Winter, 27.87; 4. Tabetha Karp, 33.72.
200 IM: 1. Trujillo, 2:22.38.
100 Fly: 1. L.Winter, 1:04.09; 2. Chavarria, 1:24.68.
100 Free: 2. J.Winter, 1:02.68; 3. Karp, 1:15.02; 4. Hailey Budnick, 1:18.43.
100 Back: 2. Budnick, 1:38.12.
500 Free: 2. Karp, 7:16.56.
100 Breast: 1. Trujillo, 1:14.16.
Men
Wayland Baptist 109, Austin College 62
200 Medley Relay: 2. WBU (Josiah Morales, Bjoern Globke, Mark Myers, David Vasquez), 1:48.72
1,000 Free: 1. Morales, 11:11.45; 2. Myers, 12:06.26.
50 Free: 1. Hugo Gallegos, 22.55; 2. Nathan McCormick, 23.24; np Morales, x24.16.
200 IM: 1. Globke, 2:03.88; 2. Brandon Rodriguez, 2:07.86.
100 Fly: 1. Gabriel Phillips, 52.82; 3. Rodriguez, 57.32.
100 Free: 1. Gallegos, 50.04; 3. Vasquez, 58.83.
100 Back: 2. Morales, 1:01.23; 3. Phillips, 1:02.36.
500 Free: 1. McCormick, 5:15.45; 3. Myers, 5:37.13.
100 Breast: 1. Globke, 1:01.51; 3. Vasquez, 1:12.15.
800 Free Relay: 1. WBU (Rodriguez, McCormick, Gallegos, Phillips), 7:37.06.
