GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb swimming team hit the water for its 2023-24 season debut this Saturday, September 30 as the Gardner-Webb men's and women's swimming teams opened their new campaigns with both squads grabbing big victories at the Pirate Quad Meet hosted by East Carolina University.
 
The men's side swept their competition with Barton College (226.0-94.0) and Catawba College (166.0-153.0), while the women were able to defeat Barton (215-.0-94.0).
 
In all, Gardner-Webb landed on the podium in 16 of 28 events, with six 'Dawgs winning their events including the men sweeping the 200-yard breaststroke race (Daniel Bennett 2:10.85, Austin Wheeler 2:11.23, and Ryan Taylor 2:12.39).
 
Four freshmen won their races including Alex Cook in the 200-yard butterfly (1:55.37), Slawka Ndubuisi for the women in the 50-yard freestyle (24.23), Davis Adcock in the 200-yard backstroke (1:56.53), and Bennett in the 200-yard breaststroke. Senior Garrett Despres won the 500-yard freestyle (4:47.16) while junior John David Cass won the 100-yard butterfly (50.90).
 
Cass, was also a part of the top-finishing relay team for the 200-yard medley. 
 
Gardner-Webb is back in action Saturday, October 7, as it travels to the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga.