GREENVILLE, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University swimming team opened its 2024-25 season on Saturday afternoon, taking part in the Pirate Duels at East Carolina, taking on hosts ECU, Barton College and Catawba College

In the men's 200-meter relay, the Runnin' Bulldogs took the top spot. The quartet of freshman Agustin Orechia, senior Josh David Cass, junior Justin Bender and sophomore Jacob Jensen touched the wall in 1:33.84, over a half second ahead of second place Catawba.

In the men's 1000-yard freestyle, sophomore Luke Weber touched the wall with a podium finish. With a time of 10:03.24, that was enough to bring home third place in the event.

The Runnin' Bulldogs continued with good pace in the men's 100-yard backstroke. Orechia took the top spot with a time of 51.67, just ahead of teammate and freshman Lucas Warner in second with a time of 52.73

The women's 100-yard backstroke saw yet another good performance, this time from freshman Dakota Townley. Townley made it to the wall at 1:05.78, just beating out her opponent from Catabwa for a second place run. Townley also managed a fourth place run in the women's 200-yard backstroke, finishing in 2:21.73

The 100-yard backstroke saw a trio of Runnin' Bulldogs in order with Bender (59.39) in second, senior Logan Butner (59.65) in third, and sophomore Dan Bennett (59.94) in fourth. Bender also saw action in the men's-200 yard backstroke, with a third place finish in 2:11.25 over there, just behind teammate senior Ryan Taylor in second at 2:09.52

Over in the men's 200-yard butterfly, it was sophomore Alex Cook taking a win for Gardner-Webb. Cook completed his race in 1:54.80 to bring home a first place finish.

The 50-yard freestyle proved to be one of the best events of the day for Gardner-Webb. On the men's side, Jensen came first place with a time of 21.38 seconds, while sophomore Slawka Ndubuisi placed second on the women's side at 24.01 seconds. Ndubuisi also managed fourth in the women's 100-yard freestyle later on.

Orechia was one of the top performers also in the men's 200-yard backstroke as well, winning the event with a time clocked in at 1:53.58. In addition to that performance, Orechia also grabbed third in the men's 100-yard butterfly, just behind Cass who finished in second for Gardner-Webb at 51.29

The men's 400-yard freestyle relay also proved to be a strong event, where the Runnin' Bulldogs placed second. Jensen, Cass, freshman Manuel Brander and senior Theo Drescher combined for a time of 3:09.22

The next scheduled event for Gardner-Webb Swimming is a women's only match-up at UNC Asheville, currently set for 11 a.m. on October 12th