By Lileana Pearson, Swimming World College Intern
The moment has come that we have all been waiting for. In one week, men and women will flock from all over the nation to compete and race against the most elite swimmers of the NAIA division in Oklahoma City. Championships are a time for seasoned seniors to make one final stand for their ranking and freshmen to make their first shining impression.
As we build into the week of NAIA Championships here are some fast hundreds we scouted for you to keep an eye on.
Women’s 100 Back
Talia Sola from Brenau (56.05) and MacKenzie Anderson from Olivet Nazarene (57.95) will go head to head in their final races for the season. Sola and Anderson have been swimming near mirrored times in this event all season and the big question is: will senior Anderson let the sophomore Sola beat her out of the first place position in her final NAIA Championship meet? Only time will tell.
Men’s 100 Breast
From Oklahoma Baptist, Fernando Morillas (56.03) and from Concordia, Hunter Sa-Nguansap (56.12) will compete in a race that is sure to excite. Both young swimmers who are relatively new to the NAIA will be swimming to make lasting impressions, not just on those watching but also on the rivals they will race in seasons to come.
Women’s 100 Fly
Senior from Biola and two time record holder in her personal best race is Christine Tixier (56.29). She is a senior and her coach has projected her to break the 100 fly record for the third and final time in her college career, however she has fierce competition. Charlotte Parent from Cumberlands is an international student and another senior who has had a standout career with the NAIA and University of the Cumberlands. She excels in many events, but her 100 fly (56.63) will be the most exciting race of her last year for spectators.
Men’s 100 Fly
This race is sure to have the stands on their feet. Narrowly holding the first place seed, Daniel Ramirez (49.10) has accomplished a lot in the past three years. Ramirez was recruited by state schools but ultimately decided to choose Oklahoma Baptist because of the family-like dynamic. His competitor is none other than Concordia’s Hunter Sa-Nguansap, who has the potential to beat his personal best (49.75) and his competition if he stays focused through his taper and mental prepares for the grueling meet to come.
In less than a week teams will gather to partake in the most important meet of the season. Times will be crushed, goals will be met, dreams will come true and all in the name of swimming. Tapers can only do so much.
If swimmers are not 100 percent committed, absolutely certain they will succeed, and determined that they have what it takes an entire year of swimming will have been for nothing. Three days of competition will determine who is the best, reveal future potential and crown those willing to give everything they have simply to touch the wall first.
This article makes me want to be at NAIA Nationals – good luck to all the swimmers.