Firestorm Secures Second at GSAC Championships
[MEN]: GOODYEAR, Ariz. - On the strength on nine new ACU records, Arizona Christian Men's Swim finished second at the GSAC Championships.
Freshman Jake DeSantis set a school record in all seven races he swam and qualified for the first time or set a better national qualifying mark in two races. Freshman Jacob Stevens broke an individual record as well.
As a team, the Firestorm set new school records in all five relays. ACU swam the 800 free relay distance for the first time in school history.
Event Details
- Scoring teams: Grand Canyon Club- 258, Arizona Christian- 125, The Master's- 109, OUAZ- 105
- Location: YMCA Goodyear/ Goodyear, AZ
Top Five Finishes/ NAIA Cuts/ Team Records
- 100 Back- Jake DeSantis- 52.63 (1st/ NAIA Cut/ School Record)
- 100 Back- Jacob Stevens- 56.64 (3rd)
- 100 Fly- Brock Jerpseth- 54.04 (4th)
- 200 Free- Jacob Stevens- 1:50.29 (3rd/ School Record)
- 200 Back- Jake DeSantis- 1:57.09 (1st/ NAIA Cut/ School Record)
- 200 Fly- Mark Sierra- 2:35.51 (2nd)
- 200 IM- Jake DeSantis- 2:07.44 (3rd/ School Record)
- 200 Free Relay- Jacob Stevens, Alec Bazaldua, Sean Wheeler, Brock Jerpseth- 1:33.21 (4th/ School Record)
- 200 Medley Relay- Jake DeSantis, Colton Law, Jacob Stevens, Brock Jerpseth- 1:42.11 (2nd/ School Record)
- 400 Free Relay- Sean Wheeler, Brock Jerpseth, Jake DeSantis, Jacob Stevens- 3:25.36 (2nd/ School Record)
- 400 Medley Relay- Jake DeSantis, Colton Law, Brock Jerpseth, Sean Wheeler- 3:50.97 (2nd/School Record)
- 800 Free Relay- Jacob Stevens, Mark Sierra, Alec Bazaldua, Jake DeSantis- 8:02.98 (2nd/School Record)
Coach Hering's Perspective
"Our men's team had some of the most exciting races of the meet- especially the last relay. With all eyes on the 400 free relay, Stevens dove in a few body lengths behind third place and swam past two teams to place second with a lifetime best and school record. Watching the men swim new events and forge together as a team was incredible. With only three competitions this season, this competition was our best so far! Grateful to God for my coaching staff and these swimmers' brave hearts!"
Next On The Schedule
NAIA Nationals were supposed to the next event for the Firestorm but they were unfortunately recently canceled. Coach Hering is finalizing a replacement meet. Stay tuned.
Release courtesy Arizona Christian Athletic
[WOMEN]: GOODYEAR, Ariz.- Over the course of two days, Sophomore Amani Gable and Senior Emma Stevens lead the Arizona Christian charge at the GSAC Championships. When the water settled, the Firestorm finished second out of the four team field.
Stevens and Gable both posted national qualifying times in two events and were also part of a school record relay.
Every relay entered by the ACU women saw them take first.
Event Details
- Scoring teams: Grand Canyon Club - 280, Arizona Christian- 183, The Master's - 85, OUAZ- 14
- Location: YMCA Goodyear/ Goodyear, AZ
Top Five Finishes/ NAIA Cuts/ Team Records
- 50 Free- Emma Stevens- 24.29 (1st/ NAIA Cut)
- 50 Free- Amani Gable- 24.78 (2nd/ NAIA)
- 50 Free- Monet Marquez- 26.41 (5th)
- 100 Free- Amani Gable- 54.44 (1st/ NAIA Cut)
- 100 Free- Emma Stevens- 54.90 (2nd/ NAIA Cut)
- 100 Free- Monet Marquez- 58.74 (5th)
- 100 Back- Sarah Stubblefield- 1:03.59 (2nd)
- 100 Breast- Renee Baillie- 1:13.74 (2nd)
- 100 Breast- Rachel Johnson- 1:17.84 (4th)
- 100 Fly- Renee Baillie- 1:02.48 (2nd)
- 200 Free- Monet Marquez- 2:10.74 (2nd)
- 200 Back- Sarah Stubblefield- 2:18.98 (2nd)
- 200 IM- Israel Seemann- 2:32.29 (1st)
- 200 Free Relay- Amani Gable, Sarah Stubblefield, Monet Marquez, Emma Stevens- 1:38.64 (1st/ NAIA Cut/ School Record)
- 200 Med Relay- Sarah Stubblefield, Renee Baillie, Amani Gable, Emma Stevens- 1:54.10 (1st)
- 400 Free Relay- Amani Gable, Sarah Stubblefield, Monet Marquez, Emma Stevens- 3:47.18 (1st)
- 400 Medley Relay- Sarah Stubblefield, Rachel Johnson, Renee Baillie, Emma Stevens- 4:17.60 (1st)
- 800 Free Relay- Amani Gable, Israel Seemann, Renee Baillie, Monet Marquez- 8:52.77 (1st)
Coach Hering's Perspective
"In a season with so many challenges, our ACU women crushed on their relays and swam very fast in their individual events. As coaches, we were very impressed with their focus and efforts! So many exciting races! We are all very grateful for the privilege to race!"
Release courtesy Arizona Christian Athletics
