ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State hosted Oklahoma Christian Thursday at the Wells Natatorium. The Red Wave men posted a 149-56 victory while the women fell 133-71 in a meet that produced several individual and relay highlights for both squads.
The Red Wave men opened with a win in the 200 medley relay as Avery Henke, Oskar Cebula, Nojus Skirutis and Tristin Ferguson combined for a time of 1:32.92. Henderson's men also closed the meet with a victory in the 400 free relay as Colin Candebat, Vitor Sa, Scott Doll and Olivér Pózvai touched first in 3:03.34.
Distance events were a strength for the men as freshman Bartu Akin won the 1,000 free in 9:46.63, with Alan González Mujica and Colton Bennett also contributing scoring swims in the race. In the 500 free Akin was second with a 4:42.93 to help Henderson's point total.
Henderson's sprint and stroke specialists produced a string of top finishes. Colin Candebat won the 200 free (1:42.55) and turned in a victory in the 100 fly (50.81). Olivér Pózvai cruised to the 100 free win in 46.59, and Hunter Rytting captured the 100 back in 53.69. The Red Wave's breaststroke group earned big points as Oskar Cebula won the 100 breast in 58.56 (with Avery Henke and Gavin Kock also scoring in the event).
On the women's side, Henderson featured several strong individual efforts even as Oklahoma Christian collected the team title. Daniela Ruiz won the 1,000 free in 11:06.79, and Iris McNamara provided a two-event highlight, taking the 200 free in 1:59.46 and the 100 free in 55.36. Emma Crowe won the 100 backstroke in 59.01 and also scored in the 200 IM (2:16.90). Henderson's relays were competitive, the women's 400 free relay of McNamara, Raven Roberts, Emily Hand and Shelby Travis posted a 3:40.55 to finish second.
"I thought we swam well," said head coach Scotty Serio. "We have some things to clean up, which was good to see. Them being tired coming into this and just the mental mistakes that we have to clean up going forward. Super excited with what we saw, and understand the work we have to do moving forward to get us where we want to be at the end of the year."
Both teams return to the pool on Saturday, October 25, when Henderson State hosts Truman State at 10 a.m. inside the Wells Natatorium.
