CLARKSVILLE, AR - The McMurry men's and women's swimming teams wrapped up competition against the University of the Ozarks, highlighted by a commanding performance from the men's squad, which secured a decisive 163-21 victory. The women's team fought hard, picking up key individual points throughout the afternoon in a 50-162 loss.
Men's Team Highlights: A Near Sweep of Events
The War Hawk men wasted no time establishing control, winning every event and sweeping the top three spots in multiple races.
The dominance began in the 400 Yard Medley Relay, where the quartet of Victor Zambrano, Wes Scalf, Daniil Kochkonbaev, and Harrison Brown clinched first place with a time of 3:50.01.
Distance swimmer Adrian Pena delivered the first individual win of the day, touching first in the grueling 1000 Yard Freestyle (11:16.26), closely followed by teammate Zach Lindley (12:03.20) in second. The War Hawks followed this up with a 1-2-3 sweep in the 200 Yard Freestyle, led by Matt Martinez (1:54.69), followed by Eli Russell and Levi Kleen.
Sprinter Wes Scalf showed his explosive speed by taking first in the 50 Yard Freestyle (22.20), leading another War Hawk sweep with Sterling Wright and Daniil Kochkonbaev claiming second and third, respectively. The men also swept the 200 Yard Individual Medley, with Harrison Brown securing the win (2:09.09), followed by Eli Russell and Kristopher Cantu.
In the 200 Yard Butterfly, Victor Zambrano claimed the top spot (2:13.55), with Zach Lindley and Sterling Wright completing yet another 1-2-3 finish for McMurry. Later in the 100 Yard Freestyle, Kristopher Cantu secured the win (53.49), edging out teammate Levi Kleen.
Matt Martinez (2:12.64) and Adrian Pena (2:13.27) went 1-2 in the 200 Yard Backstroke, with Eli Russell finishing third. The sweeps continued in the 500 Yard Freestyle as Harrison Brown (5:11.16) and Victor Zambrano (5:13.64) finished first and second, with Montgomery Cortez rounding out the podium.
The day concluded with Wes Scalf winning the 200 Yard Breaststroke (2:14.97) and the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay team of Simen Loevaas, Adrian Pena, Matt Martinez, and Zach Lindley taking first place to cap off a truly dominant performance.
Women's Team Highlights: Lizcano Leads Individual Effort
The War Hawk women showed tremendous fight against a tough opponent, led by an outstanding individual victory in the 200 Yard Individual Medley by Brooklynn Lizcano (2:28.98). Lizcano continued her strong day with a second-place finish in the 200 Yard Breaststroke (2:46.51).
In the distance events, Natalie Liles was a key point-scorer, earning a strong second-place finish in the 1000 Yard Freestyle (12:10.86) and adding a second-place finish later in the 100 Yard Freestyle (1:01.47). Anna Nielsen also had a solid effort in the distance pool, taking third in the 1000 Free and second in the 500 Yard Freestyle.
The War Hawks secured critical third-place points across the board: Nicole Ryman touched third in the 200 Yard IM and again in the 200 Yard Backstroke, while Mia Mendez clinched third in the 500 Yard Freestyle.
The women closed out the competition on a high note, with the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay team of Emilee Thompson, Natalie Liles, Nicole Ryman, and Brooklynn Lizcano battling for a second-place finish (1:55.15).
Both teams continue their trip through Arkansas on Saturday, November 8 at 10:30 a.m. against Hendrix College.
