Wheeling, W. Va. - The Wheeling University Men's and Women's Swimming teams ((6-1, 2-1)(5-2, 1-2)) have been battling through a heavy dose of dual meet action over the last month of the season. That first half dual meet schedule comes to an end on Wednesday night when the Cardinals host Salem at 7 PM. It will be the final tune-up for the Malone Midseason Invitational as the Cardinals look to end the first half of their season on a high note heading into winter break.
Last time out, both teams would swim at Davis & Elkins in what was their third conference dual meet, second conference event, of the season. On the women's side, the Cardinals would keep the Senators close, but dropped their second MEC dual meet of the year as they fell 144-114. The day started with back-to-back wins with a first place finish in the 200-Yard Medley Relay and the 1000-Yard Freestyle. However, Davis & Elkins would find their groove, and the Cardinals would pick up just four more first place finishes in the effort to round out the day. On the men's side, the Cardinals would drop their first conference dual meet of the season, and their first of the season, as they fell 167-94. The Cardinals would pick up just one individual victory on the day, but were able to secure several second and third place finishes throughout the night. In the end, they would drop their first dual meet of the season and look to rebound on Wednesday.
Leading the way for the women was freshman Niki Chrysafi, who finished with two solo wins and one relay win on the day. She would take on the Backstroke throughout the night, swimming in both the 100 and 200 yard event. Her biggest win of the night would come in the 200-Yard Backstroke, where she swam a time of 2:16.52 to claim the top spot by six seconds. She would also be a part of the winning 200-Yard Medley Relay team to start the event, serving as the leadoff swimmer. The team would swim a time of 1:55.59, and got the Cardinals out to a hot start. The other multi-event winner for the team was Giulia Liberti, who took home two individual wins on the day. She would pick up her wins in the 100-Yard Breastroke (1:10.63) and the 200-Yard Breastroke (2:35.47). It was the second time this season that the freshman has picked up multiple wins in an event as she leads the way for the Cardinals.
On the men's side, the lone win would come courtesy of Archie Pigott, who started the individual events off strong. He would take on the 1000-Yard Freestyle to start the match and swam a time of 11:02.46 to pick up the win. It was the largest margin of victory for any Cardinal on the day, with Pigott winning the event by 50 seconds in the field. Finishing behind Pigott was Meiko Schonekes, who was the only Cardinal to pick up multiple silver medals in the effort. HE would pick up honors in both the 100-Yard Butterfly and the 100-Yard Backstroke. His fastest time came in the 100-Yard Backstroke, where he swam a time of 56.53 to kick-off his individual events. He would come back to round out the day in the 100-Yard Butterfly, swimming a time of 53.69.
As they head into the final dual meet of the first half of the season, the young Cardinal's team is continuing to grow in the pool. In the early season, the Men's team sits atop the MEC schedule with 516.50 points on the season. They hold a 21-point lead over Frostburg State for the top spot in the conference and, after a stumble against Davis & Elkins, look to bounce back in their final dual meet of the first half. On the women's side, the Cardinals sit third in the conference in what has been a tightly contested race throughout the season. They are currently sitting at 472.10 points on the season and trail Fairmont State by two points, and trail MEC leading Frostburg State by 31 in the conference standings. Salem sits fourth on both the men's and women's side as the Cardinals look to put momentum on their side heading into the midseason meet.
The Match-up
The Cardinals and Tigers are meeting for the sixth time in program history, with Salem leading the men's all-time series at 4-1 and the women's all-time series at 3-2. The Cardinals have performed better at home in the all-time series, with both teams picking up each of their wins in the Alma Grace MCDonough Center Natatorium. The women are averaging 88.2 points per meet while the men average 35.2 points per meet, with both teams coming off a win in the series.
The last meeting between the two teams came on October 16th, 2024, in an event that the Cardinal men won 98-89 and the women won 118-72. Leading the way for the women was former Cardinal Jade Miller, who picked up three first place wins on the day, including wins in the 100 Backstroke, 200-Yard Individual Medley, and the 400-Yard Individual Medley. On the men's side, former Cardinal Euan MacLeod had a historic day in the pool, setting the pool record in the 50-Yard Freestyle.
The Details
First events for Wednesday night's match is scheduled for 6 PM inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center Natatorium. You can watch the event live by clicking HERE.
