The Men’s AND Women’s Swimming and Diving Programs were named CSCAA The College Swimming & Diving Scholar All-America Honors. The Women's Team GPA was a 3.79, which was 1st in the conference! The women also finished tied for 7th amongst ALL Division 1 Women's Swimming & Diving Team with Brown University and Northern Arizona. Women were 2nd in the state by .01 behind Bowling Green. Our Men posted a team GPA of 3.42, which ties with UIC for 2nd in the conference behind Youngstown State. It also puts us 4th in the state, ahead of Miami (OH) and the Ohio State University.
In addition to the program honors, 4 of our men were named Scholar All-Americans. CSCAA named 789 swimmers and divers to its Scholar All-American Team for the 2020-21 season. The award recognizes students who achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher and were invited to compete at their respective national championship.
Bob Fick: In his debut season, Bob Fick swam to 7th in the HL in the 200 IM (1:50.33), 3rd in the 100 Fly (48.10), and won the 200 Fly (1:46.36). Fick was named the Horizon League Freshman of the Year and is majoring in Business.
Timmy Kubacki: In his senior season, Kubacki swam to 3rd in his 500 Free debut at the HL breaking Schantz’s record with a 4:24.35. Kubacki won the 400 IM for the second year in a row re-breaking his own program record with a 3:49.80, was a member of the silver 800 Freestyle Relay, and swam to third in the 200 Backstroke with 1:43.84. Kubacki is an Accounting Major.
Griffin Manning: In his debut season with the Vikings, Junior Manning swam in consolations in the 200 IM (1:51.15), was on the silver 400 Medley Relay swimming a blazing 53.05 on the breaststroke leg, was on the silver 200 Medley Relay with a 24.08, was third in the 100 Breaststroke with a 53.70 and second in the 200 Breaststroke with 1:58.39. Griffin continued on to qualify and compete at the United States Olympic Trials in the 100 LCM Breaststroke. Griffin is a Sport Management Major.
Dom Niedzialek: In his senior season, Niedzialek swam to 4th in the 500 Free (4:27.15), led off the silver 400 Medley Relay with 48.03, led off the silver 200 Medley Relay with 22.35, was 2nd in the 100 Backstroke with 47.81 and second in the 200 Backstroke 1:43.79. Dominic is a Business Administration Major.
CSCAA Executive Director Greg Earhart said “Coach Burandt consistently produces winners in the pool and classroom and this year is no exception. These are some of the best ambassadors of Cleveland State and Athletic Director Garrett, President Sands, and Dr. Robert Kleidman (Faculty Athletic Representative) can and should be proud of these 57 men & women." In total, 721 programs from 426 institutions earned the honor. CSCAA will name its individual Scholar All-America team next week.
Big thank you to everyone for their involvement this past semester, and for pushing our team to their achievements! Aside from what they accomplished in the pool, we're even more proud of their accomplishments in the classroom. As always, a huge shout out to Winnie Lane for guiding our team to be the best they can be and more in the classroom!
Additional Alumni Highlights: Pieter and I got to spend quality time with Gabriel Linton while he was in Cleveland visiting with his family from Sweden! Thanks to Helen Curak for making that in person connection possible!
If you’re traveling to Cleveland or have new life, family, or job updates that we can share about you please don’t hesitate to connect with me! I would love for this newsletters/emails to highlight YOU as well as our current Vikes!
