Panthers sweep SAA swimming and diving championship crowns

For Immediate Release
Feb. 19, 2018

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The Birmingham-Southern College men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams defended their Southern Athletic Association Championship titles on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Birmingham CrossPlex capturing the conference crowns yet again. Swim/Diving Team

With the win, the men’s team secured its fourth-consecutive conference title, totaling 1,070 points, while the women earned their second straight championship with 909 points.

On the fourth and final day, the Panthers won five championship finals to cap their impressive championship weekend.

Sophomore Nico Medina picked up BSC's first win of that day in the 1,650-yard freestyle with a mark of 16:00.03, earning an NCAA B-cut and setting a new SAA and BSC record.

First-year student Patrick Dunne found the top of the podium next after winning the men’s 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:47.93, setting a new SAA record and breaking his own program record. Dunne and sophomore Noah Young both earned a B-cut in the event.

Sophomore Rebecca Erwin also made it back atop the medal stand with a first-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle. She won the race with a time of 50.43, breaking her own conference and school records.

Birmingham-Southern ended the championships with wins in the men’s and women’s 400-yard freestyle relays. The men finished the relay with a time of 3:04.35, and the women set a new relay SAA and school record with a time of 3:29.66, good enough to beat the B-cut standard.

The annual SAA swimming and diving superlatives were also announced at the conclusion of the meet. Birmingham-Southern won four of the yearly honors:

Men’s Swimmer of the Year: Medina
Women’s Swimmer of the Year: Erwin
Men’s Newcomer of the Year: Dunne
Men's Coach of the Year: Toby Wilcox

For more stats on the 2018 SAA swimming and diving champions, click here.