North Michigan News

The Northern Michigan University women's swim and dive team secured two victories on the road against nationally ranked opponents. Competing at the Gerstacker Regional Aquatic Center at Saginaw Valley State University, NMU defeated Findlay with a score of 139-98 and host Saginaw Valley State 132-108.

The Wildcats achieved 19 podium finishes during the meet. The diving team swept the top three spots in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Kalina Ceglinski led the way in both diving events, while freshmen Grace Daly and Lillian Marx also finished on the podium.

Emma Casas won gold in the 100 backstroke with a time of 56.52 seconds. Freshmen Evangeline Pierce and Laura Stockinger finished second and fourth in that event, respectively.

In relay competition, NMU's C relay squad of Evangeline Pierce, Julia Zimpel, Phini Schneider, and Joanne Arbic took third place in the opening 200 medley relay with a time of 1:46.07. The B relay team followed closely behind.

All-American swimmer Anika Wright placed second in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 10:14.27, just behind Alexa Hieber from SVSU who finished first by a narrow margin. Caitlin Aarseth placed fourth in this event.

Annika Geyer earned silver in the 200 freestyle at 1:54.41. In other individual races, Victoria Burda claimed bronze in the 50 freestyle, Manuela Araujo took third place in the 200 individual medley, and Evie DeCarlo placed third in the 100 freestyle.

NMU's performance included strong showings across several races as they prepared to face Grand Valley State next Saturday.

"The Wildcats had 19 podium finishes, highlighted by the dive team sweeping the podiums in both the 3-meter and 1-meter diving, and an individual gold from Emma Casas in the 100 back."

The next meet for Northern Michigan is scheduled against Grand Valley State on Saturday at Allendale.