Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women's swimming team will host a quad meet Friday, entertaining Catawba, Lenoir-Rhyne and UNC Pembroke at the Wingate Natatorium. The first event is slated for a 3 p.m. start (live YouTube video). The meet is the first 2021 contest for the host Bulldogs.
 
The Bulldog men's team travels to Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday to face the host Bears and the Catawba College Indians. Most recently, the WU teams hosted the inaugural Wingate Winter Round Robin Invitational Dec. 16-18 in Charlotte.
 
On Friday, Dec. 18 against five-time defending national champion Queens University of Charlotte, the Wingate women recorded nine individual NCAA B cuts and one relay B standard (the 400 Freestyle Relay). The Bulldogs opened the Winter Round Robin by winning five-of-five events against Lenoir-Rhyne Wednesday, Dec. 16.
 
Wingate senior Sara Aringsmann (Holzkirchen, Germany) set a Levine Center pool record and notched an NCAA B cut in her 200 Individual Medley victory (2:02.27) against Lenoir-Rhyne. She won the 200 Freestyle (1:50.22) against Carson-Newman the next day. Aringsmann posted six NCAA B cuts during the three-day Winter Round Robin event (four individual, two relay).
 
On the men's side, Bulldog sophomore Slava Ohnov (Kiev, Ukraine) helped the Bulldogs win two races versus five-time defending national champion Queens on the last day of the Winter Round Robin. Ohnov broke an 11-year-old school record and notched a Levine Center pool record in his 100 Freestyle triumph (43.37) against the Royals.
 
Ohnov's 100 Freestyle time was only 0.01 seconds away from an NCAA A cut. He swam the anchor leg as Wingate defeated Queens in the 400 Freestyle Relay with an NCAA B cut (2:58.39). Ohnov won six events in the three-day Winter Round Robin (two individual, four relays) with four NCAA B cuts.
 
The Wingate University athletic communications office caught up with the five Bulldog team captains to get their thoughts about this weekend's meets (an interview transcript follows).
 
Maike Hoener, senior
Langlingen, Germany
 
We started the new year with a lot of tough practices, but everyone on the team is taking it pretty well. By cheering each other up, we are pushing through every hard set and preparing for the new semester of competition. We are ready to face the other three teams this weekend and are excited to be able to swim. I, personally as a senior, just want to enjoy the end of my college swimming career with my team. I can't wait to race and have some fun!"
 
Anna Miram, junior
Ludvika, Sweden
 
"These past two weeks have consisted of very hard training for all of us, which has left us all very sore and tired. Regardless of being tired, it is inspiring to see everyone working hard and pushing each other to the limits! The attitude of having each other's backs is what will help us get through this meet. We swim for our teammates, which is what is going to bring home the win despite hard training."
 
Anne-Sofie Nissen, senior
Copenhagen, Denmark
 
"Coming back from winter break has been a challenge…the coaches have really pushed everyone to the limit. It has been hard, but good! We all look very strong in the water, everyone is happy to be back and the fact that we can still practice is something we can't take for granted right now. Being able to compete during these times is a privilege and I am excited to get back into it. I am looking forward to seeing what the team is able to do after these tough couple of weeks."
 
"For me personally, I just want to go out there tomorrow (Friday) and have fun, swim fast and enjoy every moment of the fact that we are still able to compete! When I am not swimming, I will cheer for my teammates. We still have to continue to practice hard all the way to conference and nationals, but with a team like this, I know everyone will give it all they have up until the end!"
 
James Reindl, junior
Cedar Point, N.C.
 
"I am feeling great about where the season is right now. We have had some grueling practices as of late, which has been physically and mentally demanding. I believe the team has been responding great. This weekend, we are looking to continue our fast swimming that we've done all season, but to do it in a more physically-tired state. Most importantly, we hope to continue to enjoy every opportunity we get to compete…and to be fully present in each and every moment!"
 
Jonas Soerensen, junior
Aabyhøj, Denmark
 
"I am extremely excited for the remaining part of the season. I am confident that we all will make the right decisions in regard to Covid-19, so that we will not have any setbacks. We have been practicing extremely hard as a team the entire season and especially the last couple of weeks in order to get ready for the championship season. I am also excited to compete again this weekend as it is great practice to compete with a tired body."
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 36 undergraduate majors as well as six master's and four doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is the leading healthcare education provider in western North Carolina, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Athletes on Wingate's 23 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.