ELKHART, Ind. - This past weekend, the University of Saint Mary men's and women's swimming teams showcased their talents on the national stage at the NAIA Nationals in Elkhart, Indiana. The Spires made a strong impression, with the men's team finishing 20th overall and the women's team placing 30th in a highly competitive field.
Men's Team Highlights
The men's squad featured three individual competitors who delivered impressive performances across multiple events.
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Blake Jorgens had a standout meet, qualifying for the finals in three events. His best performance came in the 100-yard breaststroke, where he finished 14th overall in the finals with a time of 56.06. Jorgens also competed in the 100-yard freestyle, taking 16th place in the finals with a time of 46.13. Additionally, he finished 13th in the 50-yard freestyle, clocking 20.57 seconds.
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Ian Lucas put in a strong effort in his events, finishing 18th in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 50.35. He also competed in the 100-yard freestyle (31st, 47.02) and 50-yard freestyle (39th, 21.62).
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Luke Taylor displayed endurance across multiple long-distance events, finishing 24th in the 200-yard butterfly (1:54.81) and 26th in the 400-yard individual medley (4:15.60). He also competed in the 500-yard freestyle, placing 42nd (4:47.92).
Women's Team Highlights
The Spires women's team put forth a strong effort, led by Ayla Pierce and Olivia Ringle, both of whom competed in multiple events.
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Olivia Ringle delivered the team's top finish, placing 18th in the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 18:33.38. She also swam in the 500-yard freestyle (36th, 5:27.97) and 200-yard freestyle (37th, 2:04.54).
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Ayla Pierce had a solid showing, competing in three events. She finished 30th in the 100-yard butterfly (1:00.11), 25th in the 200-yard butterfly (2:14.90), and 44th in the 200-yard individual medley (2:17.66).
A Strong Finish to the Season
The Spires' performance at the NAIA Nationals caps off a season filled with growth and achievements. The men's 20th-place finish and the women's 30th-place finish highlight the progress of the program and set the stage for future success.
