EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving host their home opening meet at the USI Aquatic Center on Thursday at 2 p.m. against Valparaiso University.
In only two years of the program's existence, USI and Valpo are very familiar with each other battling twice head-to-head. Both teams have also competed in dual meets and the A3 Performance Invitational.
USI Women
USI was led by Summit League Preseason Swimmer to Watch sophomore
Hayden Shurtz in a double dual split. The Screaming Eagles dominated Northern Kentucky University 193-5, before falling short to IU Indy 137-97.
The leader in USI individual records with three, Shurtz finished with the lone event win for the Eagles in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.67). Freshman
Simone Green shinned with strong performances in the 50 freestyle (25.37) and then 100 freestyle (55.23), placing sixth in the record book in both events. Freshmen led the Eagles in diving with respectable scores as
Gabbie Meier scored 202.95 in the one-meter and 201.15 in the three-meter.
Anna Bunnell finished at 200.40 in the one-meter and 205.20 in the three-meter.
The Eagles captured their programs first victory over the Beacons in 2022, 188-92. USI also finished 31 points ahead at the A3 Performance Invitational. In 2023, Valpo outlasted USI in a narrow 136-126 loss. However, USI bounced back beating Beacons at the Evansville Tri-Meet and finished 71 points higher at the A3 Performance Invitational.
USI Men
The men also split the double dual meet beating NKU 131-98, before falling to the host IU Indy 189-53. Five different freshmen entered the top ten USI record books from
Joey Smith,
Jude Winnington,
Luke Rich,
Braden Salsbury,
Justin Knauf, and
Derek Henry.
Winnington highlighted the group with an impressive 200 individual medley time (1:56.88), which slots into third all-time. Knauf earned a top-three finish the 100 butterfly (53.06), squeezing into sixth all-time in his collegiate debut. Sophomores
Nathan Deputy (203.95 pts) and
George Blake (202.28) both placed top-three in the three-meter diving event.
In 2022, USI fell 124-156 in their program debut, along with finishing behind the Beacons at the A3 Performance Invitational. In 2023, the Eagles earned their first victory over the Beacons at the Evansville Tri-Meet. USI also finished 92 points ahead of them at the A3 Performance Invitational.
Stay Connected
Follow along with the meet mobile app or tune in to the livestream attached at the link above or on the usiscreamingeagles.com schedule.
Follow our social media @USIAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates. Also, follow @usi_swimdive on Instagram for additional content.
Team scores will be posted on usiscreamingeagles.com once the results are finalized.
