Women third, men sixth to finish SCIAC Championships

LA MIRADA, Calif. – The SCIAC Championships came to a close with the women's team finishing 3rd and the men's team taking 6th in the team standings. Two more school records were taken down as the Panthers surged to the finish.

The men's team continued its upward climb up the team standings into sixth place. After finishing Thursday in eighth place, Chapman continued to climb up the standings for one of its best-ever team finishes.

Freshman Zach Waddell led the charge with a four-record effort. During the SCIAC Championships, he broke the 500 free, 400 IM, 1000 free and 1650 school records to lead the charge. He obliterated his previous record in the 1650 by 14 seconds when he took eighth place with a time if 16:03.62. His 1000 free split of 9:41.29 was also a record.

Cole Kershner also broke a record in the sprint freestyles with a 46.96 in the 100 free. He swam the first sub 47-second 100 free in school history during the prelims but placed 17th with a finals time of 47.14.

The 200 back proved to be one of Chapman's highest scoring events on the men's side as four Panthers swam in the finals. Bryce Grover qualified for the championship final and placed seventh with a 1:53.48 to lead the Panthers. William Crewe won the consolation final in the event to lead a trio of Panthers in that race.

Michael Garza placed 17th in the 200 breast and Omar Insignares took 14th in the 200 fly. The relay team finished the meet with a fifth-place finish to secure the team standing.

The women's team matched its best-ever finish with a third-place standing. Freshman Kiana Tanizaki-Hudson's  eighth-place finish in the 200 fly led the final day effort. She swam a 2:12.72 in finals but just missed the school record with a 2:10.72 in prelims.

Bianca Bayer led a group of five Panthers in the consolation final for the 100 free, finishing 12th with a 54.17. Sophia Kelsey's 18:49.00 placed her 13th in the 1650 free. Marah Kane led the Panthers in the 200 back in 15th and Ella McShane took 17th in the 200 breast.

The relay team finished up the meet with a fifth-place finish in the 400 free relay.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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