Senior Jordan O’Connor and freshman Evie Leighton each took a pair of top-two finishes as the Canisius men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams opened the new year with a dual-meet against Cleveland State Thursday afternoon in collegiate swimming in diving action at the Busbey Natatorium in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Vikings took the victory over the Golden Griffins on both men’s and women’s sides of the meet, earning a 205-75 win for the men and a 179-108 victory for the women.
As team captain, O’Connor led the women’s team with a victory in the 50 freestyle (27.43) and a second-place finish in the 100 free (54.08). O’Connor also swam with the second-place 400 freestyle and 200 medley relay teams, who posted times of 3:40.14 and 1:49.04, respectively.
Leighton kept pace with her veteran counterpart, competing alongside O’Connor in the relays while also placing first in the 200 freestyle (1:56.17) and second in the 500 free (5:19.09).
Junior Brenna Mclaughlin also had a strong day in the water for the Griffs, touching the wall first in the 400 IM (4:37.39) and third in the 100 backstroke (1:02.47) behind freshman SaraJo Gardner (1:01.04), who finished second.
On the men’s side, freshman Marin de Villard won the 100 backstroke with a time of 50.62 and claimed third in the 200 free (1:45.52). Freshman Tom McCabe had a productive day in the water, placing second in the 500 free with a personal-best time of 4:43.08.
Other notable times come from freshman Andi Mackey, who finished second in the women’s 1000 free (10:59.58) and a second-place time sophomore Sam Vidal in the 100 breaststroke (58.83).
UP NEXT
Canisius returns to action Saturday for a dual meet against John Carroll. The final home meet of the season is slated to begin at 1 p.m. at the Burt Flickinger Center in Downtown Buffalo. Prior to the meet, Canisius will honor its eight graduating student-athletes as part of its Senior Day ceremony.
For complete coverage of Canisius swimming and diving, please follow @griffs_swim on Instagram and @GriffsSwim on X.
