North STL News

The University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) men's and women's swimming teams achieved a sweep in their dual meet against Truman State, held at Pershing Natatorium in Kirksville, Missouri, on Saturday. The men's team secured a 197-52 victory, while the women's team won 174-85.

For the men, Mikael Larson led the way with wins in the 200 and 500 freestyle races as well as the 400 individual medley. Kaleb Suitor finished first in both the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly events. Aaron Wicklund took top honors in the 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle.

Other notable finishes included Mattia Nardi winning the 200 butterfly, Lathan Parks taking first in the 50 freestyle, Maxwell Wetteland narrowly winning the 200 backstroke by .06 seconds over Truman's Jacob Wolf, Dylan Bonnett finishing first in the 200 breaststroke, and Carson Ring securing victory in the 1650 freestyle.

UMSL's men's relay teams also performed strongly. The squad of Gabriel Wells, Nardi, Suitor and Gentry Comstock won the 200-yard medley relay. Parks, Joan Cortadellas Llubera, Wells and Wetteland teamed up to win the 200 freestyle relay.

On the women's side, Justice Beard was a standout performer with wins in three events: the 1650 freestyle, 200 butterfly and 500 freestyle. Romina Itzkovich claimed victories in both the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke.

Additional event winners for UMSL women included Aeri Lain (200 freestyle), Uxue Ortiz de Pinedo (200 breaststroke), Audrey Lantz (100 butterfly), and Stella Garrison (400 individual medley). The women's relays were also successful; Ella Lantz, Garrison, Itzkovich and A. Lantz won the medley relay while Itzkovich, Madison Bottorff, Beard and A. Lantz captured first place in the freestyle relay.

The Tritons are scheduled to compete next at the University of Phoenix Fall Classic from November 21-23 at Ratner Athletic Center in Chicago. Preliminary races will start each morning at 10 a.m., with finals beginning at either 5:30 p.m. or 5 p.m., depending on the day.