Posted: Jan 13, 2023

Top Talent Collides in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, Mich. – On Friday, Jan. 13, the University of Findlay swimming and diving teams traveled north to compete in arguably their most grueling test of the season. Findlay's men, ranked fifth in the country, and the women, ranked 19^th in the country, competed at Grand Valley State University where they took on some of the top teams in the country,

On the men's side, the Oilers squared off against the University of Indianapolis, ranked second in the country, and Grand Valley State, ranked seventh. Findlay's women were up against Indianapolis, ranked second, Grand Valley State, ranked seventh, and Division I Eastern Michigan.

Findlay's men fell in both of their matchups, losing 200.5-to-89.5 to Indianapolis and 170-to-123 to GVSU. The Oilers' women lost all three of their head-to-heads, as well. Indianapolis defeated Findlay 208-to-87, GVSU won 233-to-62, and Eastern Michigan won 173-to-97.

Quotes from Coach Makepeace

We knew today was going to be challenging against some of the best teams in D2 and a strong mid-major program. If this wasn't the premier dual meet in Division 2 this January before conference meets are competed, it's right up there with any meet having three top-seven men's teams, two of the top three women's team and our squad, ranked 19th.

We were missing some team members who would've helped contribute to increase our odds of winning, but ultimately we saw growth toward greatness at conference and nationals for those who qualify. Many of our early performances were sloppy, but improved on second efforts. It shows our team was adapting and applying changes as the meet progressed. So, we were happy as a staff with that. Only a few more opportunities to learn from experiences, so we have to seize on those moments.

We have a couple of meets left to help prepare for performance time in Canton in less than a month, so still time to make improvements in training and applying that to performing. It's been a fun year, now we have to finish the job in February and March to complete what our team set out to do.

Top Finishes

Men

100 Breast (1^st) – Daniel Garcia | 55.53 (NCAA B Standard)

200 Breast (1^st) – Daniel Garcia | 2:03.94

200 IM (2^nd | Runner-Up vs UIndy / Win vs GV) – Daniel Garcia | 1:51.07 (NCAA B Standard)

200 Medley Relay (2^nd | Runner-Up vs Indy / Win vs GV) | 1:29.49