Press release by IUP Athletics
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The most successful week in IUP swimming history this millennium has come to a close as the Crimson Hawks wrapped up the final day of the 2021 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships Saturday night.
The night was highlighted by a near national title as Claire Mikesell posted a second place finish in the 200 yard breaststroke with a time of 2:14.48. She finished just .89 shy of winner Bec Cross of Drury.
Rachel Johnson swam in the B final of the same event, earning honorable mention All-American honors by finished 15th overall with a time of 2:18.25.
Paige Mikesell was IUP’s other individual All-American Saturday, earning honorable mention honors with a 12th place finish in the 100 freestyle with a time of 50.99.
The women’s 400 freestyle relay team were big winners, finishing 10th overall and setting a new school record with a time of 3:26.93. Swimmers included Paige Mikesell, Iliana Oikonomou, Claire Mikesell and Johnson.
During the morning prelims, freshman Luke Mikesell broke the IUP men’s record in the 100 free with a time of 45.08. The time broke a 16-year old record held by Bartosz Ostrowski (45.15) from the 2004-05 season.
Team standings
The IUP women finished 13th overall out of 29 scoring teams with a total of 142 points. The finish is IUP’s best since coming in seventh place way back in the 2000 NCAA Championships.
On the men’s side and with just Luke Mikesell competing, the Crimson Hawks finished 21st out of 31 in the team standings with 15 points. It’s the best men’s finish since coming in 15th in 2012.
Individual accolades
Below is a list of All-American honors and IUP records from this year’s NCAA championships, sorted by individual.
IUP racked up nine individual and three relay All-American honors during the week. The nine individual All-Americans are the most since IUP totaled 10 at the 2014 NCAA Championships.
Rachel Johnson
All-American Honors (5): 100 breaststroke (10th), 200 breaststroke (15th); 200 free relay (eighth),
400 free relay (10th), 200 medley relay (11th)
IUP Records (3): 200 free relay (1:34.14), 200 medley relay (1:43.28), 400 free relay (3:26.93)
Claire Mikesell
All-American Honors (5): 200 breaststroke (second), 100 breaststroke (ninth): 200 free relay (eighth),
400 free relay (10th), 200 medley relay (11th)
IUP Records (3): 200 free relay (1:34.14), 200 medley relay (1:43.28), 400 free relay (3:26.93)
Luke Mikesell
All-American Honors (1): 500 freestyle (fourth)
IUP Records (2): 500 freestyle (4:24.92), 100 freestyle (45.08)
Paige Mikesell
All-American Honors (7): 200 freestyle (national champion), 100 butterfly (second), 200 butterfly (second), 100 freestyle (12th); 200 free relay (eighth), 400 free relay (10th), 200 medley relay (11th)
IUP Records (5): 200 freestyle (1:48.36), 100 butterfly (53.63); 200 free relay (1:34.14), 200 medley relay (1:43.28), 400 free relay (3:26.93)
Iliana Oikonomou
All-American Honors (3): 200 free relay (eighth), 400 free relay (10th), 200 medley relay (11th)
IUP Records (5): 200 free relay (1:34.14), 200 medley relay (1:43.28), 400 free relay (3:26.93)
Up next
The season continues for IUP swimming as the Crimson Hawks have two more meets to get ready for the 2021 PSAC Championships next month. IUP will compete in two PSAC Virtual Series events, starting next Saturday, March 27 at the Pidgeon Natatorium. IUP will celebrate Senior Day.