Despite strong performances from both Gaucho squads, the UCSB men and women’s swimming teams were defeated by Arizona State (1-3 overall for the men, 4-0 for the women). The Gaucho men (0-1) were narrowly beaten 177-170, while the women (1-2 overall) lost 236-111.

The Gaucho women put on a great show with freshman Sara Nicponski at the center, garnering two individual victories in the 100 and 200 breaststroke. Junior Jessica Cruzat took second in the 200 back, clocking in 2:03.90 to give the Gauchos four points in the race for the finish. Junior Katy Freeman took second in the 200 breast behind Nicponski, reaching the wall in 2:20.54. Freshman Brittany Borowitz came second in the 400 IM with a time of 4:31.74 to give the Gauchos additional points.

“[Sara Nicponski] is real good, and she is at the tip of the iceberg,” Head Coach Gregg Wilson said. “She is a wonderful addition to the team, and she has met my expectations. The kids did well, but [ASU] was ready for us. They were gunning for us, swimming faster than they have ever swum before.”

For the Gaucho men, the 400 medley relay team consisting of sophomores Matt Bartlett, Daniel McClary, Scott Vogelgesang and junior Jeff Sudbury took first with their time of 3:20.76, beating their relay time from last year. Senior co-captain Brooks Felton placed second in the 500 free in 4:34.79. Vogelgesang executed another victory for the Gauchos by winning the 100 free in 45.41 and 200 free in 1:40.36. Vogelgesang proved his worth by adding another relay victory in the 200 free relay with junior Bradley Matsumoto, Sudbury and senior Matt Sullivan by touching the wall in 1:21.40. McClary also contributed individually for the Gauchos as he placed second in the 400 IM with a time of 4:02.54 while sophomore Dan Nyaradi placed second in the 200 breast in 2:07.21 scoring four points for the Gauchos.

“[Vogelgesang] has started off right where he left off last year at the Big West Championships,” Wilson said. “The men were excited and pumped. They were enthusiastic and our medley team won several events, which showed our depth. [McClary] swam very well, beating their best swimmer so I was proud. These kids are so tired from swimming, yet they go out there and swim faster than I’ve ever seen them. They want to go out there and do the best, and that is all I could ask for.”

ASU senior All-American Caitlin Andrew won the 100 fly with a time of 54.34, which was also a NCAA “B” qualifying time. Sophomore Ashton Aubry was seconds behind Andrew with at time of 55.56. On the other side of pool, the Sun Devil men saw senior CJ Nuess taking first in the 400 IM in 3:59.74 and freshman Collin Gladys claiming the 200 breast in 2:05.34. The Gaucho men and women return back to Campus Pool on Nov. 10th at noon to host Cal Poly (1-0 overall for both men and women) and UC San Diego (0-0 overall) for a friendly meet.