Men's Swimming | 3/2/2019 11:39:00 PM

COLUMBUS, Georgia -- WVU Tech men's swimming finished ninth in the nation and gained many All-American accolades after a tough four-day NAIA National Championship held in Columbus, Georgia February 27 - March 2. Defending champions, Keiser (Florida) took the title with 622 team points while the Golden Bears garnered 177.5 team points.

The Basics

NAIA National Championship: 18 teams represented total, 18 events total, approximately 196 individual competitors

Location: Columbus Aquatic Center | Columbus, Georgia

The Lead:

• All-American accolades gained: Manuel Laguna Gomez (500 Free, 200 Free, 1650 Free, 400 Free Relay), Paulo Ignacio, Jr. (100 Breast, 200 Breast, 400 Free Relay), Vinicius Rios (400 Free Relay), Felipe Ruiz (400 Free Relay).  
• Ignacio broke WVU Tech's school record in the 100 Breast with a time of 55.51.

Gold and Blue Top Ten Finishes:

• 800 Free Relay, 10th, Ruiz, Gomez, Carolus Josefina, Ignacio (6:58.13).
• 500 Free, 3rd, Gomez (4:34.23)
• 200 Free, 6th, Gomez (1:42.71)
• 100 Breast, 3rd, Ignacio (55.51)
• 400 Medley relay, 9th, Rios, Josefina, Ruiz, Ignacio (3:08.92)
• 200 Medley Relay, 10th, Rios, Josefina, Ruiz, Ignacio (1:34.85)
• 1650 Free, 4th, Gomez (15:51.48)
• 200 Breast, 3rd, Ignacio (2:02.31)
• 400 Free Relay, Ruiz, Rios, Ignacio, Gomez (3:08.92)

The Season: The team finished 6-1 in duals this season and will be graduating five seniors.