LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– The Delta State University men's swimming and diving team earned a victory over NSISC rival Henderson State and NCAA Division I opponent Incarnate Word, to earn first place on Saturday at the Little Rock Invitational.
 
Off The Starting Blocks:

• Opponents: Henderson State | Incarnate Word
• Date/Time: Oct. 15, 2016 | 10 a.m.
• Location: Donaghey Aquatic Center
• Score: DSU 743 | Henderson State 649 | Incarnate Word 646
• Short Story: The Statesmen claimed victories in 11-of-14 swimming events to earn the win.
• Get Social: @DeltaStateSWD | @DSUStatesmen

How it happened:

• The Statesmen had a strong start, as Cody Lavoie, Matteo Fraschi, Fabrice Wendel and Mattia Schirru finished first with a 1:34.37 in the 200-Medley Relay.
• In the next event, Nathan Sawicki earned the first of his two victories, as he touched in 9:49.27 in the 1000-Freestyle. The sophomore also earned a win in the 500-Freestyle with a 4:45.58.
• Cody Lavoie then took first when he finished the 200-Freestyle in 1:42.54. Lavoie also claimed the 200-IM, after touching the wall in 1:53.13.  
• Matteo Fraschi won both breaststroke events, as he finished the 100 with an NCAA "B" cut time of 55.41 and the 200 in 2:03.49. Fraschi's time in the 100 is currently the fastest in NCAA Division II, and his standard in the 200 is second best.
• Adam Charlton earned the first of three top-four finishes in the 200-Butterfly, as he came home in 1:54.14. Charlton was the runner up in the 100-Butterfly (52.28), and was fourth in the 200-IM (2:01.18).
• Mattia Schirru earned victories in the 50 and 100-Freestyle. His time in the 50 (21.05) is currently ranked seventh in the nation, and his 46.34 in the 100 ranks fourth.
• The Statesmen finished in four of the top five spots in the one-meter diving competition, with Kyle Weesner leading the way with a 255.70.
• DSU was runner-up in both backstroke events, as Alberto Zambrano finished the 200 in 1:58.88 and Fabrice Wendel swam a 52.69 in the 100.
• Nic Martin led the Statesmen with a 268.75 to finish second in the three-meter diving event.
• The Statesmen closed out the meet with a victory in the 200-Freestyle, as Wendel, Fraschi, Jack Hene and Schirru finished in 1:26.86. That time currently ranks ninth in the country.

A Look Ahead:

• The Statesmen return to action at Missouri S&T on Friday, Oct. 21. The meet is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.