BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University swimming team began the 2025 portion of its schedule on Friday morning, hosting Catawba College at Bost Pool

Gardner-Webb began strong in the men's 100 yard backstroke, taking each of the top three spots in the six-athlete event. Freshman Agustin Orechia took the top spot with a 50.58, while GWU teammates Lewis Warner (51.05) and Joshko Lipp (52.83) finished second and third place. 

Orechia also managed first place in the men's 200 yard backstroke, followed by Warner, with the pair coming in at 1:51.76 and 1:55.67 respectively. Furthermore, Orechia was first in the men's 100 yard butterfly as well with a time of 50.16 seconds.

Over in the women's 100 yard backstroke, freshman Dakota Townley continued a strong start to her Gardner-Webb career. The Concord Township, Ohio native touched the wall for first place with a time of 1:06.14. The Gardner-Webb women would dominate the women's 200 yard IM by taking each of the top two spots, with Townley (2:14.75) in second behind freshman Kaitlyn Estes who won the event with a time of 2:12.25

The Runnin' Bulldogs also nabbed the top spot in the men's 200 yard butterfly thanks to sophomore Alex Cook. Cook sprinted in front, winning by over two seconds with a time of 1:51.65

Sophomore Slawka Ndubuisi also continued a fine 2024-25 season by winning in the women's 50-yard freestyle. The Columbia, S.C. native touched the wall in a blistering 24.06 seconds for first place.

The Runnin' Bulldogs would make up six spots of a nine man race in the men's 200 yard breaststroke, led by junior Justin Bender. Bender finished in 2:04.83 for first place, followed by senior Austin Wheeler in second at 2:07.56 and freshman Jo Jo Frye in third at 2:08.28. Later in the day, Bender would also take the top spot in the men's 200 yard IM behind a time of 1:54.12 and a 25.25 first-leg split.

Lastly, the Gardner-Webb men scored a win in the men's 400 yard medley relay. Orechia, Bender, senior John David Cass and freshman Manuel Brander combined for a time of 3:20.65, winning by nearly a full second. Brander anchored the event with a blistering 21.60 and 45.85 split in the final leg.

Next up, the Runnin' Bulldogs host Queens at Bost Pool in ASUN action, scheduled for January 18th at 11:00 am.