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HONOLULU – The Grand Canyon swimming and diving team made history by wrapping up their inaugural dual meet against Hawai’i, which took place over the course of two thrilling days at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
The Lopes showcased their talent right from the start, with impressive performances in the men’s 1000-meter freestyle event where Easton Mousser and Batu Servi secured first and second place, respectively. Mousser, an enterprising freshman hailing from Springville, Utah, completed the race in an impressive time of 9 minutes 16.32 seconds, while Servi followed closely behind with a strong finish of 9:24.89.
In the sixth event of the day, junior standout Alex Volkov delivered a stellar performance in the 100 backstroke, clinching first place with a time of 47.80 seconds—nearly two seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.
Junior Paula Martinez Moreno excelled in the women’s 50 butterfly, securing first place with a time of 24.78 seconds, narrowly missing her personal best by just 0.07 seconds, a record she set during the 2024 CSCAA National Invitational Championship. The talented Spaniard further added to her accolades with a first-place finish in the 100 butterfly, clocking a time of 53.47 seconds.
Senior Maria Brunlehner made her mark by touching the wall first in the women’s 50 freestyle, darting to a triumphant finish in 22.95 seconds.
In the women’s 50-meter breaststroke event, senior Raphaela Nakashima, freshman Beth Young, and junior Hailey Sears delivered solid performances, securing second, third, and fourth places, respectively. Nakashima completed the race in 28.63 seconds, while both Young and Sears finished closely behind at 29.17 seconds.
Sophomore transfer Jasu Ovaskainen displayed his prowess by securing second place in the competitive 100 butterfly with a noteworthy time of 48.19 seconds.
Freshman diver Omar Elsayed impressed the crowd by topping the platform exhibition with an outstanding score of 403.58 points. In the one-meter event, he placed second out of six competitors, earning 312.53 points, showcasing his diving skills impressively.
The second day of competition opened with both Grand Canyon 400-medley relay teams taking first place. The men clocked a remarkable time of 3:14.96, while the women made their mark with a solid finish of 3:41.72.
The men’s 500 freestyle proved to be a highpoint for the Lopes, with Servi emerging victorious at 4:30.68, Mousser following closely for second place at 4:31.17, and sophomore Colin Campbell rounding out the top three with a commendable time of 4:37.56.
Maria Brunlehner closed out her exciting weekend with another impressive win, clocking in at 23.17 seconds to once again take first place in the women’s 50 freestyle event.
Junior transfer Mario Perez exhibited his competitive edge, winning the men’s 50 freestyle with a blazing time of 20.18 seconds.
Martinez clinched her third victory of the weekend by finishing the 200 butterfly with an impressive time of 2:01.39.
Mohamed Mohamady displayed his strong swimming ability by securing first in the men’s 200 backstroke, clocking in at 1:45.93, while senior Sam Jennings followed closely for a second-place finish with a time of 1:48.20.
Sophomore Ian Hirota claimed the top spot in the men’s 200 breaststroke competition, finishing just 0.03 seconds ahead of second place with an impressive time of 2:01.21 in the 20th event of the day.
Despite the Lopes falling short against the Rainbow Warriors, the meet was marked by numerous season-best times, leading to exhilarating races that captivated all in attendance.
GCU is eagerly preparing to host their first meet on November 1-2, welcoming Arizona Christian, Ottawa (Ariz.), Simon Fraser (B.C.), and Idaho to Phoenix, where they hope to build on this weekend’s performances.
**Interview with Grand Canyon Swimming and Diving Team Coach**
**Editor:** Welcome to the program, Coach! What a historic weekend for the Grand Canyon swimming and diving team at their inaugural dual meet against Hawai’i. How does it feel to kick off the season with such a strong performance?
**Coach:** Thank you! It honestly feels incredible. This meet was a major milestone for our program, and I couldn’t be prouder of how the team performed. We’ve worked hard to prepare for this moment, and our athletes really showcased their skills.
**Editor:** Easton Mousser and Batu Servi had an impressive finish in the men’s 1000-meter freestyle. Can you tell us a bit about their performance and what it means for the team?
**Coach:** Certainly! Both Easton and Batu set the tone early in the meet with their outstanding swims. Easton, being a freshman, showed remarkable poise and determination, especially clocking in at 9:16.32. Batu, our returning swimmer, is also crucial for our depth in that event. Their teamwork and competitive spirit really energized the rest of the squad.
**Editor:** Alex Volkov’s performance in the 100 backstroke was remarkable as he finished nearly two seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. What has been key in his training leading up to this meet?
**Coach:** Alex has been a standout not just in talent but in his work ethic. Our coaching staff has focused on refining his technique this season, and it’s clear it paid off. He set a strong tone for the team, and his confidence in the water is a great motivator for his teammates.
**Editor:** Paula Martinez Moreno had an excellent showing in the butterfly events. What makes her such a valuable member of the team?
**Coach:** Paula is a natural competitor. She’s dedicated both in and out of the pool, constantly striving to improve. Her near personal best in the 50 butterfly speaks to her potential, and I know she will keep pushing towards breaking records as the season progresses.
**Editor:** Omar Elsayed stood out as a freshman diver as well, topping the platform exhibition. How do you assess his contribution to the team?
**Coach:** Omar has been a fantastic addition. His score in the platform event demonstrates his skill and poise, especially considering he’s new to the collegiate scene. Diving is a critical component of our team’s success, and Omar’s performance provides a great boost to our diving program.
**Editor:** Lastly, what do you envision for the rest of the season after this strong start?
**Coach:** I am optimistic! This meet has really ignited the team’s spirit, and I believe this is just the beginning. We will continue to build on these performances and push ourselves in upcoming competitions. Our focus is on continual improvement and supporting each other as a cohesive team.
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach! We look forward to following the Grand Canyon swimming and diving team as they make waves this season.
**Coach:** Thank you for having me! We appreciate the support!
Talent and an incredible competitor. She has a unique combination of speed and technical skill, especially in the butterfly events. Her ability to perform under pressure and consistently improve her personal bests motivates everyone on the team. Being a leader both in and out of the pool, she sets an example for our younger athletes.
**Editor:** Freshman diver Omar Elsayed also made quite an impression with his scores. How do you see his role evolving in the team?
**Coach:** Omar is a phenomenal talent as well. His scores in the platform event were remarkable for a newcomer, and it shows a lot of potential for growth. As he gains more experience, I believe he’ll be a key competitor not just for us, but on a national level as well. His enthusiasm and strong work ethic will certainly lift our diving program to new heights.
**Editor:** Despite the loss to the Rainbow Warriors, there were so many individual successes. What are your main takeaways from this meet moving forward?
**Coach:** The overall performance of our swimmers and divers is a huge positive takeaway. We recorded numerous season-best times, which indicates that we are on the right track. The competitive environment was beneficial for our athletes to learn from, and I believe this experience will propel us as we prepare for our upcoming home meet. We’ll focus on refining our techniques and building on this weekend’s momentum.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, how do you plan to build on the success of this meet as you prepare for your next competition?
**Coach:** We will analyze the footage from the meet and focus on areas that need improvement. Our next competition against Arizona Christian, Ottawa, Simon Fraser, and Idaho is a fantastic opportunity to further build team chemistry and refine our tactics in both swimming and diving. We aim to capitalize on the progress made and continue to support our athletes in reaching their fullest potential.
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach! We can’t wait to see how the team continues to grow this season. Best of luck with the upcoming competition!
**Coach:** Thank you! We’re excited for what’s ahead.
