BROOKINGS, S.D. -- The Augustana swimming programs had promising results in its season opener in a dual meet against SDSU in Brookings, South Dakota, on Friday night.

The men's team made a splash as the 20th sport to compete at Augustana, while junior Hailey Handevidt made her debut in the one and three-meter dive. Amongst the debut for the men's team, Pedro Borin claimed three event victories for the Vikings. 

In total, the Vikings had nine first-place finishes, four on the women's side and five on the men's side.

"We had a great night of racing against a very talented and experienced South Dakota State team," Augustana head coach Lindsie Micko said. "We were very competitive and will continue to get better as we gain more experience. 

"I love the passion and enthusiasm this team has and look forward to another day of racing tomorrow."

Augustana had a strong showing in the 1000-free with senior Taylor Beagle winning the event in 10:40.78. Freshman Leona Coha was close behind in second, swimming a time of 10:41.58.

The men of Augustana also showed strength in the 1000-free with three Vikings taking the top-three spots as freshman Aiden McCusker claimed victory in a time of 10:08.66. Kacper Mayerberg (10:20.73) and Jack Johnson (10:42.51) secured second and third in the race.

Borin, a freshman, won the 200-free, swimming a time of 1:43.28, over a second better than the second-place finisher. Borin also won the men's 200-butterfly, besting the field by over four seconds, winning in a time of 1:55.85. Borin's day concluded with a third victory, winning the 100-butterfly in 51.64.

The Vikings took the top-three spots in the women's 200-butterfly with Coha (2:13.87) and Beagle (2:15.16) taking first and second with Ruth Huffman placing third in 2:20.75

Jackson Dircks won the men's 200-backstroke in a time of 1:57.14, over two seconds faster than the next swimmer.

Coha, already having a win and runner-up finish on the day, won the women's 500-free in a time of 5:16.05, winning the event by over seven seconds.

Beagle would also return to win an event later in the meet, coming in the 200-IM, winning in a time of 2:14.42, followed closely by Anna Tindall's 2:14.87.

Up Next

The Vikings head back on the road for a dual meet against St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, Saturday slated for a 2 p.m. start

--GoAugie.com--