Queens University of Charlotte men’s swim team took to the blocks on Friday, October 24, 2014, for their third home meet of the season, battling against Gardner-Webb University. The Royals took first in the meet with 65 points pushing past the Bulldogs who grab 30 points for the day.
The Royals had a strong starting performance, opening with a first place finish in the 200 Yard Medley Relay. Zachary Phelps, Evante Gibson, Niclas Eriksson, and Hayden Kosater took the lanes by storm, finishing with a time of 1:33.26 for the event.
Alex Menke proved to be a powerful force for the 1000 Yard Freestyle as he recorded a time of 9:25.98, out touching the second place finisher by more than 24 seconds. Menke’s performance would advance him on the national stage to the fourth fastest time in Division II, while also falling under the NCAA ‘B’ standard mark.
Eriksson and Austin Sumrall provided exceptional performances for the Royals in the 50 Yard Freestyle with Eriksson touching first at 21.01 and Sumrall finishing with a time of 21.17, just shy of his current top time of 21.12. The event would push Eriksson to eighth on the national stage.
Devyn Hughes would touch for first place in the 200 Yard Individual Medley, holding his lead at each split and clocking a time of 1:55.12. This would rank him ninth in the nation for this event. Trevor Jones trailed close behind, finishing in third with a time of 1:59.73.
The Royals would completely sweep Gardner-Webb in the 100 Yard Butterfly. Sumrall placed first, finishing with a time of 51.49; Felipe Oliveira would follow close behind, touching at 51.61 along with Nate Dacruz finishing in third place with 52.00 touch. Gibson finished the sweep in fourth with a 52.04 time.
Kosater and Ben Taylor would continue to dominate the meet, touching second and third, respectfully, in the 100 Yard Freestyle, turning in at 47.21 and 47.66, respectfully, as both times barely missed the NCAA ‘B’ time standard.
John Suther’s swim in the 100 Yard Backstroke would bring in him to the wall with a time of 52.20 and a first place finish. Phelps would touch close behind for a third place finish, clocking in at 52.81.
Menke would continue to dominate, finishing first in the 500 Yard Freestyle, touching at 4:39.38, making him second the Bluegrass Mountain Conference in this event.
Eriksson would break the first pool record of the night, going 55.22 in the 100 Yard Breaststroke, shattering his previous pool record of 55.91 achieved against the University of Auburn Tigers the year prior. His performance would earn him NCAA ‘B’ standard time.
Sumrall, Oliveira, Taylor and Kosater would conclude the meet by breaking the second pool record of the evening, placing first in the 400 Yard Freestyle, clocking in at 3.07.42.
The Royals will hit the water next on November 1, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. as they host Wingate University.
