Wayne State Women, Grand Valley State Men Win 2010 GLIAC Swimming & Diving Championships

DETROIT - Wayne State University women's and the Grand Valley State University men's teams win the 2010 GLIAC swimming & diving championships.

The Wayne State University women’s swimming and diving team finished in first place at the 2010 GLIAC Championships, wrapping up the four-day meet with a 118-point victory over Grand Valley State (783.5).

Ashland finished third (437), followed by Indianapolis (401), Findlay (333), Hillsdale (295), Lewis (290) and Northern Michigan (212).

The Warriors, who broke the school record of 869 points set in 2009 as well as the GLIAC record of 897 set by GVSU last year, earned their fourth conference title in program history, all of which have come in the last five years.

In the final day of competition, WSU senior Ashley St. Andrew shattered the GLIAC meet record in the 1000y freestyle with a time of 10:02.74. University of Findlay sophomore Nikki Schnell-McCoy broke the GLIAC meet record in the 200y backstroke.

Grand Valley State won the men's championship with 866 points, followed by WSU (710.5) and Ashland (701). Indianapolis took fourth (512.5), Lewis placed fifth (410) and Findlay came in sixth (163).

To secure the champioship, GVSU sophomore Raphael Santos raced to his second individual victory. Santos won in the 200y backstroke and senior Matt Witkowski finished second in the 100y freestyle. Laker senior Evan Betts placed second in the 3m diving, while sophomore Aaron Beebe finished third in the 200y butterfly.

The 2010 GLIAC Women's Swimming and Diving "Freshman of the Year" was the University of Indianapolis' Maura Donahue.  Donahue placed first in the 100y freestyle, second in the 200y freestyle and 500y freestyle, second in the 800y freestyle relay, anchored the second place 400y medley relay, and collected a fourth in the 400y freestyle relay.

Wayne State University Joaquin Abascal Gallegos was voted GLIAC Men's Swimming & Diving "Freshman of the Year." He claimed three individual conference championships in the 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley, and the 200 breaststroke. His time of 2:01.01 in the 200y breaststroke sets a new GLIAC meet record. He was also on three championship relays.

Senior Elaina Hogle was named GLIAC Women's Swimming and Diving "Athlete of the Year" for the third straight season. Hogle won three individual events (200 IM, 400 IM, and 200 butterfly). She was also part of two championship relays.

Lewis University junior Kevin Coates claimed the 2010 GLIAC Men's Swimming and Diving "Athlete of the Year." Coats claimed individual championships in the 1650m freestyle, 500m freestyle, and the 1000m freestyle.

Wayne State head coach Sean Peters was presented with his fourth career GLIAC Women's Swimming and Diving "Coach of the Year." Ashland University's Paul Graham was named the 2010 GLIAC Men's Swimming and Diving "Coach of the Year."

Click here for 2010 GLIAC Swimming and Diving Championships Results

Women - Final Team Rankings

1. Wayne State University 901.5
2. Grand Valley State University 783.5
3. Ashland University 437
4. University of Indianapolis 401
5. University of Findlay 333
6. Hillsdale College 295
7. Lewis University 290
8. Northern Michigan University 212

Men - Final Team Rankings

1. Grand Valley State University 866
2. Wayne State University 710.5
3. Ashland University 701
4. University of Indianapolis 512.5
5. Lewis University 410
6. University of Findlay 163