Hickory, NC.- The Wheeling University Men's and Women's swimming teams (7-1, 3-1)(6-2, 1-2) head south as they compete for the first time since November 22nd. They will compete against Lenoir Rhyne in Hickory, North Carolina on Saturday, with first events scheduled for 11 AM. Despite the slower start, that has seen them go 2-3 over their first five events, they are still a strong program, and the men finished above .500 each of the last 4 years. The Bears have a lot to swim for with 3 meets left they look to keep that streak alive.
Previously at the Malone invitational 10 different Cardinals earned medals, 7 on the women's side and 3 on the men's side. Lacie Langmeyer led the way with 83 points, securing a gold and a bronze. Gabby Baiano, Grace Moorley, Lydie Sprecher, Niki Chrystafi, Giulia Liberti, and Caitlin Oltman all won medals as well. For the men, Segmen Duygun led the way with a bronze and 77 points. Archie Pigott added another 77 for the Cardinals, and Aris Dimakis and Felix Norlin came away with medals as well.
During the break a couple swimmers stayed in shape by competing for their country. Freshman standouts Androniki Chrystafi and Felix Norlin both had the opportunity to do this. Chrystafi competed in the Greek open national championships and is coming off of a whopping 5 personal bests in Wheeling's last meet at Malone. Over the course of the two days she hit a personal best in the 50 free, 50 back, 100 back, 200 back, and the 200 IM. Norlin competed at the Swedish short course nationals and is the top ranked men's swimmer in the Mountain East Conference. He mainly swims the freestyle and breaststroke for the Cardinals and is also coming off a handful of personal bests at Malone. He did this in the 100 free, 50 breast, 100 breast, and 200 IM.
Both teams were very successful in the first semester under head coach Will Hughes. The men sit at 7-1 and the women are just behind at 6-2. That puts the men atop the MEC and the women in 3rd. The men can set a new program record of 10 wins if they sweep their final 3 regular season meets and the women have the opportunity to tie a program record of 9 wins if they do the same. Both teams are gearing up for the 2026 Mountain East Conference (MEC)/Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) Championships, running February 11th – 14th in Canton, Ohio, Lenoir Rhyne will provide a test to help prepare them for the best in the conference.
The Matchups
Men: the Cardinals and Bears are meeting for the third time in program history on Saturday, with Lenoir-Rhyne leading the all-time series at 2-0. The Cardinals will be making their third straight trip to Hickory, North Carolina, averaging 56.5 points per event in their first two contests. The last meeting between the two teams came on January 4th, 2025, in a dual that Lenoir-Rhyne would win 136-47. Sarp Killic would lead the way for the Cardinals, taking home gold in the 100-Yard Freestyle, while former Cardinal Euan MacLeod and Nathan Reigel each medaled at the event.
Women: The Cardinals and Bears are meeting for the third time in program history on Saturday, with Lenoir-Rhyne leading the series at 2-0. Wheeling has hit the road for all three match-ups in the all-time series, and has averaged 93 points per event. They have scored at least 80 points each time out, with their highwater mark being a 104 point effort in the first ever meeting. The last meet came on January 4th, 2025, in an event that Lenoir-Rhyne would win 104-82. Gabby Baiano would lead the way for the Cardinals, picking up tw0 gold medals on the day in the 500 Freestyle and the 200 Freestyle.
The Details
The meet against Lenoir-Rhyne is scheduled for Saturday January 10th at 11am inside the Shuford Poll on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University. You can watch the action live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Results by clicking HERE.
