By Rebecca Noblett
FORT PIERCE, Florida, March 5. DEFENDING men’s and women’s NJCAA champions Indian River State College kicked off the first night of the NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships by sweeping all four relays.
The Indian River women started out with a win in the 400 medley relay, with Yurie Nakano (55.88), Patricia Casellas (1:02.89), Barbara Caraballo (54.78), and Rebecca Derogatis (50.92) posting a 3:44.47 for first. Iowa Lakes took second with a 4:05.20, while South Georgia College clocked in at 4:09.97 for third.
Indian River’s men’s team took the 400 medley as well, with Stefan Stojmenovic (47.81), Shota Nakano (54.45), Heinrich Alberts (47.90), and Spencer Williams (45.17) clocking in at 3:15.33. South Georgia took second (3:29.96), touching just ahead of Iowa Lakes (3:30.42).
The Indian River women just missed out on the NJCAA record of 7:21.64 in the 800 free relay. The team of Yurie Nakano (1:47.75), Josefine Hippa (1:50.55), Shelby Leonard (1:51.79), and Georgina Allin (1:51.88), posted a 7:21.97 for the title. Iowa Lakes touched second at 8:06.54, with Monroe Community rounding out the podium with an 8:08.28.
The final event of the night went once again to Indian River, with the men’s 800 free relay team of Quinn Poti (1:40.22), Adam Wise (1:39.20), Alec Scott (1:37.86), and Michael Ragan (1:40.10) touching in 6:37.38 for first. Monroe Community hit the wall second with a 7:05.12, and Darton placed third with a 7:07.23.
IRSC is vying for its 40th NJCAA win on the men’s side, while the women are looking for their 32nd consecutive victory. The women took an early lead with 128 points against Iowa Lakes’ 112, while the men lead South Georgia State 128-108.
Results For: NJCAA Championships: Day One