Men's Swimming | 1/13/2017 9:27:00 AM

Wingate, N.C.----The nationally-ranked Wingate University swimming teams return to the competition pool tonight, visiting Gardner-Webb University for a 5 p.m. dual meet (please note time change). The Bulldogs venture to Catawba College for a 1 p.m. encounter Saturday.

Most recently, both Bulldog teams won the 12th annual Savannah College of Art and Design Invitational Dec. 1-3 at the Chatham County Aquatics Center. The Wingate teams occupy top 11 spots in the third College Swimming Coaches Association of America/TYR NCAA Division II top 25 poll released in December. The Bulldog women's team is number seven, while the Wingate men's team is number 11.

"We ended the first semester with a great team performance at the Savannah College of Art and Design invitational," Wingate head men's and women's swimming coach Kirk Sanocki says. "Since then, we had final exams, the Christmas holidays and an outstanding training trip to Florida."

"Now, we're looking to use that momentum to get off to a great start with the second half of our season," Sanocki says. "Our training has been spectacular and the coaches are expecting to see our performances reflect this hard work."
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING…
Wingate's captains talk about the upcoming second semester…
 
Erika Kaspersson (senior, Eslöv, Sweden)
 
"We are less than a month away from our conference championship now…and the excitement and enthusiasm is noticeable. During our training trip in Florida, we all came together very well and had a great time. We combined hard work with team bonding activities…the teams are now more united than ever. Both teams have shown a great attitude throughout the year. We will bring this attitude with us as we head into the last few weeks of the season. I believe #WUSwim is ready to do some really good races!"
 
Olga Kosheleva (graduate student, Yekaterinburg, Russia)
 
"Throughout the first semester, I was discovering something new about my teammates every day. I got to see their strong characters, positive attitudes and willingness to get the work done even during the hardest practices. As a captain and a senior, I look at our younger student-athletes and I can say they are not shy to show their best at every single practice, which makes me happy for the rising leadership. In my opinion, the second semester is going to be a very exciting time of the year. The team has done a tremendous job so far and we will keep the same pace all the way until it is going to be the time for the conference and nationals, when we will be able to actually show what we have been working for (this year)!"
 
Lucas Cuadros (senior, Cali, Colombia)
 
"(In my opinion) there is nothing much to say about our team other than I feel grateful for being part of it. As we approach the end of the season…and the idea of leaving the 'swimmer life' becomes more evident, I start to appreciate every single moment as if it was the last bite of the most delicious dessert. We are swimming our ways into memories and friendships that I hope will last forever. We are a team that truly enjoys working hard for the sake of it…for the learning experience that it brings and for the opportunities that hard work brings to show each other that we are there for one another."
 
"What #WUSwim breathes is far greater than goal times and championship trophies. (I believe) #WUSwim is more united than ever before and that fills the team atmosphere with hope and joy."
  
Mehdi Zeraidi (senior, Brussels, Belgium)
 
"After our training trip in Florida, with two weeks of hard work, I believe the team is ready to take on this semester. We had a great first semester…I am sure the second semester will be even better. Spring semester means it is time for our Bluegrass Mountain Conference championship meet…everyone is excited to fight for the championship titles again. We have a few weeks of meets and practices to go, which will allow us to finish the preparation for Feb. 8…by then we will be ready as never before!"
  
WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,200 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 35 minors, 12 career concentrations, nine pre-professional programs, master's degrees in accounting, business, education, physician assistant studies and sport management and doctorates in education, pharmacy and physical therapy.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 10 years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 88 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate is number one in this millennium with 88 Academic All-America® honorees. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 97 lifetime Academic All-America® picks. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.