West Virginia State Games
- October 8-9, 2021
- Morgantown, W.Va.
- State Games Session 1 Results (PDF)
- State Games Session 2 Results (PDF)
Courtesy: West Virginia Athletics
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams kept up the momentum as the two squads cruised to victory at the West Virginia State Games on Saturday in Morgantown.
WVU combined to win all 14 events on day two of competition, finishing the weekend with 3,258.5 team points. The women’s team tallied 1,544.5 points, while the men contributed 1,714.
“I’m really pleased with the way the teams made corrections from yesterday,” said coach Vic Riggs. “We had several really solid swims across today and the energy was great. We’re looking forward to hosting Penn State next weekend.”
Junior Jacqueline McCutchan paced the Mountaineer women with five total wins on the weekend, as she picked up three relay wins and two individual victories. For the men, fifth-year Max Gustafson led the way with six wins, including three individual and three relays.
Five freshmen really came to make a name for themselves this weekend claiming a total of six first-place finishes, including five individual wins and one relay victory. Emily Knorr led the way for the freshmen, notching three individual victories. Zhenya Ingram and Jake Young were among Knorr securing individual wins, Braden Osborn and Conner McBeth were members of the first-place men’s 200 free relay.
The women’s squad kicked off Saturday’s competition with a dominating performance in the 100-yard freestyle, securing nine of the top ten times. Junior Jacqueline McCutchan led the way for the WVU, touching the wall in 52.05, followed by Ginger Hansen in second and Ana Zortea in third.
Fifth-year Max Gustafson earned the Mountaineer men their first victory of the day, claiming the top-spot in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 46.12. Following suit, West Virginia took the next top-five finishes in the event.
In the 200-yard backstroke, Knorr earned her second first-place finish of the weekend (2:02.60), while Zhenya Ingram had his first collegiate victory touching the pads in 1:54.24.
Junior Mathilde Kaelbel led the charge for a 1-2-3 West Virginia finish in the women’s 200-yard breaststroke, as she posted a time of 2:28.26. Behind Kaelbel were sophomore Shelby Gerving (2:29.21) and junior Tatum Peyerl (2:30.99).
Knorr’s third first-place showing was in the 500-yard freestyle, as she touched the wall in 5:04.95. Following the freshman, the Mountaineer women claimed nine of the top ten finishes in the event.
Senior Lauren Beckish earned her first collegiate victory in the 100-yard fly, recording a time of 58.78, while freshman Mia Walters took second (59.00) and junior Harna Minezawa notched a third-place finish (59.34).
The Mountaineer men swept the 200-yard IM, claiming the top five finishes. Freshman Young led the pack with a time of 1:54.40, fifth-year David Dixon took second (1:54.62) and senior Josh Harlan came in third (1:55.72).
Saturday’s competition concluded with the 200 free relays, where WVU placed two more tallies in the wins category. Harna Minezawa, McCutchan, Ginger Hansesn and Ana Zortea grabbed the victory for the women (1:37.11), while Osborn, Dixon, McBeth and Gustafson combined to win for the men (1:23.90).
On 1-meter, senior Camille Burt collected a first-place finish with a score of 272.85. Junior Marian Tiemer finished second (255.9) and freshman Sarah Krusinski took third (253.42). Junior Owen Johns topped the leaderboard for the men, posting a score of 282.97, ahead of seniors Nick Cover in second (264.15) and PJ Lenz finished third (250.05).
On the 3-meter, senior Emma Longley tallied a win with a final score of 248.10, ahead of Burt in second (243.38) and Tiemeier in third (239.40). Johns grabbed his second win of the day on the men’s side with a score of 272.85, while Cover placed second (260.93) and freshman Hayden Apel took third (240.75).
“I’m so proud of these men and women,” diving coach Karla Helder said. “This meet sets the foundation for the season. The consistency they’re buying into is creating such a joyful base of diving.”
WVU has now reigned victorious at the West Virginia State Games in each of its ten seasons. The men have won the event every year, while the women have been defeated only once.
The Mountaineers return to action next weekend as they host Penn State on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15-16. The women’s squad will take on the Nittany Lions Friday at 6 p.m., while the men will continue competition on Saturday at 11 a.m.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUSwimDive on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.