By Joel Fuzo / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University distance teams made waves Dec. 12, 2024 at the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America Open Water Championship, hosted by Florida International University.
The championship was held at Biscayne Bay in Florida. In total, 108 swimmers competed in the women’s 5K competition.
Junior Miriam Frass led the way on the women’s side in the 5K, with a time of 1:06:40. Frass earned second place in the event.
Freshman Olivia Sweetman and senior Hailey Clark followed with back-to-back finishes in 45th and 46th place, swimming times of 1:10:25 and 1:10:35, respectively.
Freshman Morgan Glass was just behind in 48th at 1:10:44, while senior Macy Wang rounded out the Penguins’ efforts by placing 70th with a time of 1:13:15.
The women’s team finished eighth overall among 19 Division I squads.
The men’s team kicked off the action at 8 a.m. in the 5K race, showcasing a strong collective effort.
Fifth-year Gavin Webb led the Penguins with a 10th-place finish out of 95 competitors, clocking in at 1:01:22.
Freshman Poyraz San Askin was close behind, finishing 11th with a time of 1:01:25, while fifth-year Crispy Barton placed 42nd with a time of 1:06:17.
Sophomore David Grant and freshman Ethan Woycehoski added consistent finishes, coming in 57th and 59th with times of 1:09:03 and 1:09:05, respectively.
Youngstown State finished in fourth-place among 11 Division I programs.
The Penguins will now shift their focus back to the pool, as they prepare for Horizon League competition against Indiana University Indianapolis at 5 p.m. Jan. 10 and 10 a.m. Jan. 11.
