Charlotte, N.C.----Wingate University freshman Ian Leighninger will long remember his first visit to Queens University of Charlotte's Levine Center, as the Bulldog men's swimming newcomer won the 200 Backstroke in Saturday's dual meet (complete results). Five-time defending national champion Queens won the Bluegrass Mountain Conference event 167-95. The visiting Bulldogs posted three 2-3-4 finishes on the afternoon.
 
In only his second collegiate appearance, Leighninger posted a triumphant time of 1:50.79, nearly four seconds faster than his time in his debut at Carson-Newman the previous weekend. In addition to Leighninger's gold, the Bulldogs collected 10 silver medals and nine bronze medals Saturday.
 
In his first meet this season, senior Iran Almeida earned four silver medals (two relay, two individual). He helped the Bulldogs finish second in the 200 Medley Relay (1:29.84) and 200 Freestyle Relay (1:22.61). Individually, Almeida was second in the 200 Butterfly (1:46.96) and the 100 Butterfly (48.22).
 
Sophomore Slava Ohnov matched his elder teammate with four silver medals. Ohnov swan the anchor leg on the aforementioned relay teams. In addition, he was second in the 50 Freestyle (20.56) and the 100 Freestyle (44.97).
 
The 100 Freestyle was one of the three events where the Bulldogs earned 2-3-4 finishes. Sophomores Marcel Snitko (46.26) and Bennett Broad (46.80) claimed third and fourth, respectively, in the 100 Freestyle. Wingate recorded 2-3-4 showings in both breaststroke events as well.
 
Next on the Agenda
 
The Bulldogs conclude the 2020 portion of their schedule Dec. 16-18, when they host the Wingate Winter Fest Invitational.
 
Event-by-Event men's highlights
 
200 Medley Relay
Second-Wingate A (1:29.84)
Fourth-Wingate B (1:33.74)
Fifth-Wingate C (1:34.62)
 
1000 Freestyle
Fourth-Jonas Soerensen (9:26.34)
Fifth-Daniel Mizera (9:30.49)
 
200 Freestyle
Second-Marcel Snitko (1:39.35)
Third-Ethan Hathcock (1:40.92)
 
100 Backstroke
Third-David Granados Doblas (50.91)
Fourth-Daniel Brisuda (51.63)
Fifth-Ethan Jones (51.94)
 
100 Breaststroke
Second-Andrew Lockhart (57.17)
Third-Yann Van Den Bossche (58.26)
Fourth-Kalle Svensson (58.51)
 
200 Butterfly
Second-Iran Almeida (1:46.96)
Third-Connor Wright (1:51.98)
 
50 Freestyle
Second-Slava Ohnov (20.56)
Third-Bozo Puhalovic (20.96)
 
100 Freestyle
Second-Slava Ohnov (44.97)
Third-Marcel Snitko (46.26)
Fourth-Bennett Broad (46.80)
Fifth-Bozo Puhalovic (46.81)
 
200 Backstroke
First-Ian Leighninger (1:50.79)
Third-David Granados Doblas (1:54.25)
Fifth-Ethan Jones (1:55.11)
 
200 Breaststroke
Second-Yann Van Den Bossche (2:06.89)
Third-Andrew Lockhart (2:08.19)
Fourth-James Reindl (2:08.82)
Fifth-Kalle Svensson (2:09.22)
 
500 Freestyle
Fourth-Daniel Mizera (4:32.90)
Fifth-Jonas Soerensen (4:37.55)
 
100 Butterfly
Second-Iran Almeida (48.22)
Fifth-Connor Wright (50.25)
 
200 Individual Medley
Second-Daniel Brisuda (1:52.96)
Fourth-Daniel Mizera (1:55.73)
Fifth-James Reindl (1:56.05)
 
200 Freestyle Relay
Second-Wingate A (1:22.61)
Third-Wingate B (1:23.87)