The Youngstown State men's and women's swimming and diving programs will make the trip up north to face Horizon League opponent Oakland for a two-day dual at the Oakland Aquatic Center in Rochester, Michigan this Friday and Saturday.

Previewing Oakland

The Golden Grizzlies are coming off team victories for both their men and women against Wayne State University in their season-opener on Sept. 12. The Oakland women won 13 individual events en route to a 45-16 team win, while the men won 12 events en route to a 42-19 team victory.

This will be the first time that the Oakland and Youngstown State men's programs will compete in a dual, and the first time that the Golden Grizzlies and Penguins women's programs have competed against one another head-to-head in a dual since Oct. 19, 2018, which was a 193-104 victory for Oakland.

Oakland is the 11-time reigning Horizon League Men's Swimming and Diving champion and the 11-time reigning Horizon League Women's Swimming and Diving champion.

Last Time Out

The Youngstown State men picked up a 150-148 team victory over St. Bonaventure, while the Penguins women picked up a 152.5-147.5 team victory over the Bonnies in the season-opener last week at the Beeghly Natatorium in Youngstown.

James Slessor racked up two victories for the Penguins in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, while Gavin Webb (1000 free), Gavin Redden (100 free), and Jacob Gramer (100 butterfly) also won one individual event each. The men's 200 medley relay team of Gramer, Slessor, Lorenz Beck, and Rares Druga took home a victory with a time of 1:32.13, while the 400 free relay squad of Druga, Gramer, Redden, and Darren Laing won their event with a collective time of 3:04.68, which set a new pool record at the Beeghly Natatorium.

Oliwia Kaniak had a very successful opening meet for the Penguin women, racking up three individual victories vs. the Bonnies in the 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, and the 200 IM. Miriam Frass won two events herself, taking home victories in both the 200 free and 500 free. Olivia Sweetman took home a victory in the 1000 freestyle, and Hanna Held had an excellent meet diving as she collected victories in the 1m dive and 3m dive. Held's total score of 273.68 in the one-meter dive was good enough to qualify her for the NCAA Diving Zones this upcoming March. For qualification, you need to obtain a score above the 265-point threshold.

Horizon League Athlete of the Week Recognition

Kaniak and Held were named Horizon League Women's Swimmer and Diver of the Week for their performances vs. the Bonnies, while men's diver Brooks Adams took home Horizon League Men's Diver of the Week honors. Adams finished third in the men's three-meter dive with a score of 215.63, and fourth in the men's one-meter dive with a score of 243.83.

Event Schedule

Friday:               

200 Medley Relay

1650 Free

200 Free

100 Back

100 Breast

200 Fly

50 Free

15 Minute break

100 Free

200 Back

200 Breast

500 Free

100 Fly

10 Minute break

200 IM

400 Free Relay

Saturday:

400 Medley Relay

400 IM

200 Free

50 Back

50 Breast

100 Fly

50 Free

15 Minute break

100 Free

100 Back

100 Breast

500 Free

50 Fly

15 Minute break

100 IM

200 Free Relay

Up Next

The Penguins men's and women's swimming and diving programs will be back in action next week, Oct. 11-12, as they visit Northeast Ohio opponent Akron for a two-day dual with the Zips.

For news and updates throughout the 2024-25 season, follow @YSUSwimDive on X.