Swim team gives Olivet first national title

Swim team gives Olivet first national title

by | 09 Mar 2016

After only four seasons in existence, the Olivet Nazarene University men's swimming and diving team captured the university’s first NAIA national championship, clinching the 2016 title last weekend in Columbus, Georgia.

The Olivet women’s swimming and diving team, also a four-year-old program, won the National Runner-Up title, marking the team’s highest-ever finish. Amanda Moran became the first swimmer in program history to be named NAIA Swimmer of the Year, and Olivet’s Scott Teeters was named NAIA Men's Coach of the Year for the second time.

“While we have had numerous final four finishes and several national runner-up finishes, this in our first national champion,” said Gary Newsome, director of Athletics at Olivet. “There's just something special about being the best in your field. We are so proud of our swimming program and the accomplishments and dedication of our young men and women."

Men’s team results 

The Olivet men’s team won seven individual national championships and two relay titles on its way to 714.5 points and the national title. There were 16 individual All-American performances and five relay All-American honors. Daniil Kuzmin finished with the most honors, winning two individual titles and helping win two relays. He swam a total of eight All-American performances.

Kuzmin, Guilherme Magnoler and Calvin Price all earned their first national champion honors. Tyler Timmer became the Tigers’ first All-American diver.

Four seniors made their final collegiate swim during the championships. Andrew Fischer finished second in the 200-yard butterfly, touching the pad in 1:49.78. Sam Borgman posted a 16:19.49 in the 1650-yard freestyle to finish fourth. Jacob Anderson finished third in the 200-yard backstroke, posting 1:51.39.

Calvin Price took the silver in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:01.32. Kuzmin earned the seventh of his team-leading eight All-American honors in the 100-yard freestyle, finishing in second place in 45.36. Josh Bouma picked up a third-place finish in the 1650-yard freestyle, touching in 16:11.03.

Anderson finishes his Olivet career as the most decorated swimmer in school history. He has won three individual national titles and three relay titles. In all, he has eight individual All-American awards and 11 relay.

Women’s team results

Olivet Tigers women’s swimming and diving team amassed 502.5 points to secure second place and capture the 2016 NAIA National Runner-Up title. The team won three individual titles, as well as 10 individual and five relay All-American performances.

Amanda Moran inked her name in the NAIA and Olivet record books several times during the national competition. Moran opened the meet by becoming the first female swimmer to win multiple national championships, taking the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke titles. Moran set a new school record with her 1:59.32 finish in the 200-yard backstroke, finishing the meet with a total of eight All-American performances, three individual and five relay.

Tiffany Ray took first place in the 200-yard individual medley, finishing in 2:05.84. 

--Olivet Nazarene University

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