The Miami University Redhawks claimed their second MAC men’s title in three seasons on Saturday night in their home pool as they beat Missouri State and Southern Illinois.
Team Scores:
- Miami, 932
- Missouri State, 687
- Southern Illinois, 588.5
- Ball State, 511.5
- Evansville, 301
Freshman Henju Duvenhage won his third event for the Redhawks, taking the 200 fly at 1:44.46 over Missouri State’s Pawel Krawczyk (1:44.61) as Duvenhage added to his wins in the 200 and 400 IM. The time put Duvenhage 56th in Division I this season as the MAC decided to hold its championship meet after NCAAs to ensure the season would have an end in sight, because the NCAAs were not a guarantee in the fall semester.
Duvenhage also led off the 400 free relay team with a 44.02, as Miami won at 2:55.35 ahead of Southern Illinois (2:56.40). Duvenhage gave the lead to Pedro Gueiros (44.11), Nic Wamsley (43.58) and Ben Chatwin (43.64) as the Salukis gave them a fight the whole way. Marc Avery (44.32), William Chavez (44.41), Zheng Yeap (44.31) and Donat Csuvarszki (43.36) finished in second for Southern Illinois.
Csuvarszki won the Salukis’ second straight 100 free conference title with a 43.94 in the individual event, winning ahead of Miami’s Chatwin (44.15) and SIU’s Avery (44.26). Southern Illinois also celebrated its second straight win in the 200 back as sophomore Adam Cernek (1:43.17) dominated the final to defend his 2020 title. Cernek’s time put him 63rd in Division I this season.
Missouri State’s Michael Hampel won the 200 breast in a near four second drop from this morning with a 1:57.01, ahead of Miami’s Noah Barr (1:57.18), who was voted as the MAC outstanding senior.
“There was an incredible fight from this team,” Hampel said. “I have never seen a group of men battle through adversity as this team did. We are extremely excited for what the future holds and the best is yet to come.”
The Bears also had a win in the 1650 from freshman Dylan Moffatt (15:06.37) in dominating fashion over Neal Wolfram (15:32.63) of Miami.
“The feeling was great,” Moffatt proclaimed. “It felt like I energized our team starting the final session. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
Moffatt would have been in the mix for NCAA consideration as a 15:01 made the meet this season.
Ball State also captured its second MAC title in as many days with Hunter Ongay winning the 3m diving at 310.55.