SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's and women's swimming & diving programs began their final meet of the 2023 calendar year on Thursday with the first day of competition at the Augustana Invitational. Through six events on both sides of the competition, the men's program is in fourth place with 60 points, while the women's team is in 10th place with two points. The Cougars are the lone Division III program at the meet, which features almost exclusively Division I and II teams.

In Thursday's finals, the Cougars had a handful of men's swimmers competing in individual events and both programs participated in relays. On the men's side, John Gulon surged to a school record in the 500 Freestyle to finish 22nd overall in a time of 5:02.39. John Slatinski (5:34.53), Jakob Linscheid (5:53.28), and Josh Meixell (5:55.41) were also in the 'C' final. 

Another school record was set by Slatinski in the 'C' final of the 200 IM with a time of 2:21.42. In 1-Meter diving, Gregory Simons finished seventh overall by compiling 120.40 points. 

In men's relays, the Minnesota Morris team of Gulon, Meixell, Nathan Fronk, and Louis Freeman took ninth in the 200 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:36.10. Later on, the 400 Medley Relay of Gulon, Linscheid, Slatinski, and Meixell clocked a 4:04.63 to place 10th.

In women's relays, the Cougar 'A' team of Lilly Radintz, Megan Heveron, Lucy Schultz, and Shannon Dougherty placed 22nd overall in a time of 1:44.36. The 'B' team of Lexi Gerdes, Kaitlyn Mello, Hannah Wellens, and Dani Mazzio were 29th in 1:58.13. Finally, the 'C' team of Morgan Ball, Natalie West, Bethany Knopp, and Rita Erickson were 30th in 1:59.61. Minnesota Morris also put two teams into the 400 Medley Relay, with the 'A' group of West, Madi Gerdes, Kennedy Olson, and Dougherty combining for a 4:36.61 and the 'B' group of Wellens, Mello, Ball, and Schultz swimming a 4:46.24.

During Thursday's prelims, the fastest times among those who didn't qualify for finals later in the day came from Olson in the women's 500 Freestyle (5:49.75), Faith Hamm in the women's 200 IM (2:31.59), Radintz in the 50 Freestyle (25.57), and Freeman in the men's 50 Freestyle (23.61). 

Action resumes in Sioux Falls on Friday with more preliminary events at 10 a.m. and finals beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Day 2 of the three-day meet.