By KAY NGUYEN

Staff Reporter

 

The second day of the Summit League Swimming and Diving Championships once again proved the Golden Grizzlies’ dominance.

 

Oakland’s own Matt Kelly sang the national anthem to kick off the meet. Awards were then given out for a few of the previous day’s events.

 

The Grizzlies set the tone for a winning night during the first event: the 200 medley relay. Both the women and men broke Summit League records with their performances.

 

Sophia Gustafsson brought in some outside smoke during the 400 IM, won the heat, and set a new Summit League record.

 

Jessica Brown of Centenary College took first place in the 100 backstroke by two one-hundredths of a second. It was the only finals heat loss of the night for Oakland aside from three meter diving.

 

Johanna Gustaffson narrowly won the 100 breaststroke final in a fight between three swimmers. Alyssa Vela also cut a close victory; winning the 200 freestyle final by less than four-tenths of a second.

 

Head coach Pete Hovland had stated on day one of competition that he wanted an even better session the next night. The men and women combined brought Oakland 10 broken league records and five NCAA qualifying cuts.

 

Both teams ended their nights with huge point leads. Oakland women had a score of 536.5 before the last two events, while Oakland men had garnered 624 points. Final point counts were not announced after the last event.

 

Both teams dominated the relay events. Oakland ended the night with two first place finishes in the 800 freestyle relay that shattered Summit League and school records.

 

The final day of competition begins Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

 

Women – Team Scores (Through Day 2)              

Place School                                        Points

       ===============================================================

1 Oakland University                            660.5

2 Western Illinois University                  400

3 South Dakota State University           320.5

4 Centenary                                          317

5 Eastern Illinois University                   252 

6 IUPUI                                               158 

 

Men – Team Scores (Through Day 2)                          

Place School                                        Points

       ===============================================================  1 Oakland University                            714 

2 Centenary                                          388 

3 Eastern Illinois University                   302 

4 Western Illinois University                  275

5 South Dakota State University           205 

6 IUPUI                                               185