UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University swimming and diving program started the 2024-25 season hosting Alma College on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals took home two wins as the women won 232-43 and the men won 233-42.
The Cardinals took first in all 32 events on the day. They were led by returners Benjamin Wainman, Logan Fox, A'lmos Szedlak, Eric Slabbert, Rory Kauffman, Alexa Hieber, Samantha Fowler, Roni Markwood, and Hannah Martin Cook. Some new faces also shined. Ella DesJean, Alvaro Rodriguez, Lyon Hall, and Luke Fava all captured first place finishes with Nina Pavlovic Cano, Marissa Warm, Gryffin Porter, Ganen McAllister, and Hall all tallying second place finishes.
Wainman started off the season where he left off last year as he finished both the 1650-yard and 500-yard freestyle only seconds behind his record times for the program. Fox was 0.75 seconds behind the 50-yard freestyle record set last season. Rodriguez came up two seconds short of the 200-yard butterfly record with his first-place time of 1:52.21. Kaylene Darbee was the final near record-breaking time as she was three seconds behind the 100-yard butterfly program finishing in 59.81 seconds.
Up Next: Saginaw Valley swimming and diving continues next week as Grand Valley State University hosts a tri-meet between the Cardinals, Lakers, and the Calvin College Knights. The meet starts at 1:00 PM EST on Saturday, October 12 from Venema Aquatic Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
