Aqua Buffs qualify six for nationals

Milligan College, Tenn. (Oct. 10, 2009) --- The Milligan College men’s and women’s swim teams had six national qualifying times in their season opener against Mars Hill College (N.C.) Saturday in Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.  

In the first race of the day, the Lady Buffs 200 meter medley relay comprised of sophomore Gretchen Grant (Blountville, Tenn.), sophomore Victoria Licari (Atascadero, CA), junior Darcee Kubisiak (Johnson City, Tenn.) and junior Rachel Landry (Boone, N.C.) had a national qualifying time of 2:18.29. Additionally, Licari had a strong performance with a first place finish in the 50 meter breaststroke (37.79).    

The Milligan men qualified two teams in the 200 meter medley relay with times of 1:53.74 and 1:55.99. Science Hill product Aaron Pigford (Johnson City, Tenn.) had a national qualifying time in the 100 meter backstroke (1:02.28) en-route to a first place finish in the event.  

The 200 meter freestyle relay of Taylor Duran (Johnson City, Tenn.), Eron Cavanaugh (Plainfield, Ind.), Chris Fry (Greenwood, Ind.) and Pigford finished in 1:10.30 which was also a qualifier. Newcomer Evan Alfano (Chattanooga, Tenn.) competing in his first collegiate swim meet, qualified in the 100 meter breaststroke (1:10.30).  

“We competed well on both sides and had some exciting races across the board,” commented Head Coach Ron Goehring. “However, we still have room for improvement as we look to our next home meet on the 17th.  

The Aqua Buffs host NCAA Division II Pfeiffer University (N.C.) on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m.

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