FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks swimming team returned to the Patty Center Pool Friday afternoon, winning nine of 11 events in the first of two dual meets against Azusa Pacific and securing a 133-64 win over the Cougars in its home opener.
The 'Nooks kicked off the meet by grabbing first in the 200-yard medley relay, as the team of Charisma Watkins, Dorka Dancsok, Giorgia Merlo and Cosima Schmiedel posted a 1:50.26 to finish 0.29 seconds in front of APU. Alaska continued its strong start by winning the next two events, as Mariia Sirotinskaia won the 1000-yard freestyle in 11:15.21, and Zhenia Stukova won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:56.40.
Azusa Pacific followed by winning its first event of the meet, taking first in the 50-yard freestyle. Sam Bristor was the Nanooks' highest finisher, placing second with a 24.63. However, Dancsok got the Blue and Gold back in the win column after touching the wall in 4:37.95 to take first in the 400-yard IM. Schmiedel finished second in the event with a 4:51.57, giving the Nanooks a 1-2 finish. Merlo followed by winning the 200-yard butterfly (2:14.22), with Zsófia Varga right behind her in second (2:14.46), giving the Nanooks another 1-2 finish.
Monica Botha (54.09) placed second in the 100-yard freestyle behind APU's Sydnee Wilson, but the Nanooks won the final four events, with Watkins (2:16.26) placing first in the 200-yard backstroke, Kitti Marton (5:18.73) winning the 500-yard freestyle and Dancsok (2:26.15) picking up her second individual win of the afternoon in the 200-yard breaststroke. Finally, the 'Nooks touched first in the 200-yard freestyle relay to close out the meet with a win, as Botha, Schmiedel, Stukova and Bristor narrowly beat out Azusa Pacific to the top spot by 0.02 seconds, finishing in 1:40.00.
The Nanooks have one more dual meet against the Cougars on Saturday at 10 a.m. They will be debuting their new pink swimsuits as part of the Go Pink with the 'Nooks meet for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Follow the 'Nooks
IG - @NanookSwim
X - @NanooksSwim
FB - Alaska Nanooks Swimming
