Lopes Clash in Thrilling Tempe Showdown

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Grand Canyon swimming and diving squad experienced defeats in both men’s and women’s competitions against Arizona State on Saturday in Tempe.

Despite notable performances following winter break, the Lopes men suffered a loss of 233-66 while the women fell 248-48. The Sun Devils men are currently the reigning NCAA Champions and hold a record of 7-0 this season. 

Multiple contributors from the Lopes showcased impressive swims, particularly junior Alex Volkov. Volkov secured second place in the men’s 100-yard backstroke with a time of 47.17 seconds, finishing just under one second behind the leading mark of 46.66 seconds. 

For the women, Aleksandra Wegrzynowska finished the 200 freestyle in one minute and 52.50 seconds. The senior achieved a third-place result in the 500 freestyle, completing it in 5:05.20. 

Graduate student Harper Houk concluded the 100 breaststroke with a time of 55.26 seconds, placing second. The Knoxville native also earned second in the 200 breaststroke event, finishing at 2:00.76.

Joe Stephenson, a sophomore, secured fourth place in the men’s 200 butterfly with a finish time of 1:50.42. 

The Lopes achieved a two-three position in the 50 freestyle. Sophomore Guillermo Carrey finished at 20.06 seconds, with fellow Spaniard Mario Perez closely behind at 20.08 seconds. Both Perez (48.13) and sophomore transfer Jasu Ovaskainen (48.05) were within one second of the first and second place finishers in the 100 butterfly. 

GCU’s 400 freestyle relay, consisting of Perez, Volkov, Carrey, and junior Eli Cohen, finished with a time of 2:56.81 to wrap up the day.

In the diving events, the Lopes claimed second and fourth places in the women’s one-meter competition, with sophomore Lacey Neighbor accumulating 249.68 points alongside Brooke Woeslaw’s 226.65 points. Senior Andrew Bussman finished second on the men’s side, achieving 313.58 points. Freshman Omar Elsayed took second in the men’s three-meter event with 308.63 points. 

The women’s team will travel next to Los Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, Jan. 11, to compete against the Lobos, while the men will not return to action until Senior Day on Jan. 18 against California Baptist in Phoenix. 

Results from Saturday’s event versus ASU can be accessed here.