NEWS | Wingate NCAA announcement
NEWS | Wingate wins SAC men's swim title
NEWS | Wingate wins SAC women's swim title
 
Indianapolis, Ind.----The nationally-ranked Wingate University men's and women's swimming teams find themselves in a familiar place this week…competing for a national championship among the NCAA Division II's best programs. Twenty-three Bulldog student-athletes begin their national championship journey Tuesday night in the Indiana University Natatorium at IUPUI.
 
Last month, the Wingate teams swept the team titles in the inaugural South Atlantic Conference championship meet in Charlotte. Graduate student Kate Agger and sophomore Miguel Marcos earned SAC Women's and Men's Swimmer of the Meet, respectively. Newcomer Franziska Muhlberger was named the SAC Freshman of the Meet on the women's side.
 
The Wingate University athletic communications staff caught up with Agger, Marcos and Muhlberger to get their thoughts on the season and the upcoming NCAA meet. An interview transcript follows…
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate graduate student-athlete Kate Agger
 
"I think this season so far has been great. Compared to the last couple of years, this has been the most normal season yet since COVID. We have done things that we have not done in several years like going to Florida for training trip…we had not been able to do this since my sophomore year at Wingate."
 
"We went into our first South Atlantic Conference meet with the intention of coming home with wins for both the women's and the men's team. We hope to keep the momentum from the SAC meet going into NCAAs. Our national team is ready to finish strong! WU What?! WU Swim!!" 
 
Wingate sophomore student-athlete Miguel Marcos
 
"In my opinion, this has been a hard season so far for many reasons, but my teammates, especially my practice group (mid-distance and distance) and my friends made the situation way easier. I also have to mention the amazing work Kevin (Hennessy) does as a coach…I feel very comfortable with him, he always listens to us and really wants to get the best out of us."
 
"My confidence this year has been a roller coaster with my ups and downs, but right now I'm very proud and happy to finish the season racing at NCAAs…just being here is a great reward for all the work along the year. The season is not over, so I hope everything goes as I expect… finishing strong."
 
Wingate freshman student-athlete Franziska Muhlberger
 
"This has been a phenomenal season so far…it is so much fun to practice and compete with the WUSwim team. I am part of the mid distance/distance group practicing with Coach Kevin and it is a lot of fun spending time with the people in the water and practicing together every day. There is always a good atmosphere during practice, which makes every hard set not necessarily easier, but more bearable." 
 
"We started our season last fall with meets in Ohio, Atlanta and Savannah and came into the championship season in February. Last month, we had our SAC championship meet in Charlotte, where we succeeded as the first-ever SAC swimming champions. It was a full week of fun and great racing from our whole team."
 
"I succeeded in my individual events with two silver (400 Individual Medley and 200 Breaststroke) and two bronze medals (500 and 1000 Freestyle). I added one gold medal with our 800 Freestyle Relay. I was able to claim the South Atlantic Conference female Freshman of the Year award, which was just incredible for me. During the whole week of competing, the team atmosphere was amazing and everyone was cheering for each other every step of the way."
 
"After our success at the SAC championships, the goal for all the NCAA qualifiers was to clear our minds and 'get ready for the next level,' as all our coaches said. We are all ready to give it our all in the pool and race for the Wingate Bulldogs. I will compete in the 400 Individual Medley, the 500 Freestyle and the 200 Breaststroke." 
 
"I am looking forward to a great week of experiences and races and I can't wait to get started tomorrow. WUWhat? WUSWIM!" 
 
Wingate University
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 38 undergraduate majors as well as seven master's and four doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. 

Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 14 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu. 
 
Editor's note: Story graphic and photo courtesy Wingate University assistant athletic director for creative services Dominique Maneice. Pictured left-to-right are Miguel Marcos, Kate Agger, Daniel Mizera (SAC Elite 23 Award winner) and Franziska Muhlberger.