MINNEAPOLIS – The Gustavus Adolphus College men’s swimming and diving team is competing this week in the MIAC Championship. Hosted at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center on the University of Minnesota campus, the four-day championship runs February 11-14.
Entering the evening of the third day of the championship on Friday, the Gusties held a 115-point lead over second-place Saint John’s with 328 points to the Johnnies’ 213. After the evening of competition Friday night, Gustavus doubled their point total from Thursday as they earned 330 points on day three alone to build their championship total to 658 points. The Gusties enter the final day of the championship with a 216.5-point lead over Carleton (441.5 points), who leapt ahead of Saint John’s (388 points) into second place.
The 100 breaststroke was the highlight of the night for Gustavus. Braden Ripken won the race with a time of 53.76, setting a new meet record for the MIAC Championship. The Gustie junior broke the previous record of 54.28, set by Gustavus alumnus Tanner Sonnek at the 2019 championship. Brandon Wilcek (56.22) and Aiden Carlson (56.42) followed Ripken in second and third place in the 100 breaststroke as the Gusties took each of the top three places in the event.
Ripken also helped lead Gustavus to victory in the 200 freestyle relay as he, Declan Vahey, Will Sarkinen, and Josh Wallin combined to record a time of 1:23.32; the new top time in the MIAC for this season.
In addition to his success in the relay, Wallin won the 100 backstroke for the Gusties, swimming the race in 50.03. The first year’s winning time set a new personal record and was the fastest time in the event in the MIAC all season.
Logan Cyr won the 200 freestyle, swimming the event in 1:42.01 to set a new PR and the new top time in the conference for 2025-26.
Carlson placed first in the 100 butterfly with a time of 49.66, beating his previous personal record of 50.33 with the fastest MIAC time this winter.
Aidynn Havermann finished as the runner-up in the 400 IM for Gustavus, taking second with a time of 4:04.82.
Up next for Gustavus is the fourth and final day of the MIAC Championships this Saturday, February 14. The scheduled men’s finals events for the evening session beginning at 6:30 p.m. are the 1650 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, and 400 free relay.
Men’s Team Scores Through Friday
1. Gustavus – 658
2. Carleton – 441.50
3. Saint John’s – 388
4. Macalester – 333.50
5. St. Olaf – 282
6. Hamline – 142
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