DECORAH and SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Gustavus men's swimming & diving team officially began the 2024-25 season with a pair of victories over Luther and Morningside as a split squad took on the two teams in Iowa Saturday afternoon. The Gusties won their first dual of the day, 186-111 over Luther, followed by a 141-116 win at Morningside.

"It was great to get the competitive part of our season started after over a month of good, quality training," said Head Coach Jon Carlson '88. "It was fun to race other teams instead of just ourselves as we have been in practice over this last month. The team performed well in both locations, with some really outstanding performances to start the season. When you split your team like that against two really good teams, it makes for a very exciting day, all the way to the end. Our swimmers stepped up time and time again to collect some pretty amazing times. I know myself and the team are excited for the rest of the season after today's performance."

Gustavus 186, Luther 111

The Gusties opened the day with a dominant victory over Luther, winning 12 of 16 events. Peyton Richardson (5th, Crystal Lake, Ill.), the reigning MIAC Swimmer of the Year, started his fifth and final season off strong, winning three individual events and contributing to a Gustie relay win in the 200 medley (1:37.39). Richardson finished first in the 100 backstroke (53.98), 200 butterfly (2:04.16), and 100 butterfly (51.46).

Logan Cyr (So., Maple Grove, Minn.), the 2024 MIAC Rookie of the Year, collected four victories as well, winning the 1000 freestyle in 10:31.13, the 200 backstroke (2:02.54), the 500 freestyle (4:58.55), and was a part of the 400 freestyle relay that touched the wall first in 3:17.26.

Nyden Hill (Sr., Conway, Ark.) led the team in the breaststroke, winning the 100 in 1:01.10 and the 200 in 2:14.40. Meanwhile, Braden Ripken (So., Blaine, Minn.) took first in the 50 freestyle (22.34) and the 200-IM (2:05.68). 

The winning 200 medley relay team featured Richardson, Hill, Ripken, and Ben Kell (So., Minneapolis, Minn.), while the Gustie team of Kell, Cyr, Aidan Shermak (So., Bloomington, Minn.), and Brendan Collins (So., Maple Grove, Minn.) won the 400 freestyle relay in 3:17.26.

Ryan Lester (Sr., Hastings, Minn.) led the Gusties on the boards, taking second on both the 3-meter and the 1-meter, while Carter Kline (Fy., Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) took fourth on the 3-meter and third on the 1-meter in his collegiate debut. 

Gustavus 141, Morningside 116

The Gusties took first in six events against Morningside, led by Aiden Carlson (So., Moorhead, Minn.), who claimed wins in the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.65 and 200 breaststroke in 2:24.79. Alex Johnson (Sr., Bloomington, Minn.) took first in the 200 butterfly in 2:18.29, while Jacob Robischon (Fy., Sauk Centre, Minn.) finished first in the 100 fly (54.80).

Jack Reilly (Fy., Sioux Falls, S.D.) took first in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:06.58, while Finley Gustafson (Fy., Mendota Heights, Minn.) collected his first collegiate victory in the 200-IM in 2:08.37.

The 200 medley relay team of Reilly, Carlson, Robischon, and Jack Christoferson (Jr., Sauk Rapids, Minn.) took second with a time of 1:42.77, while the 400 free relay team of Jonah Ohrtman (Fy., Sioux Falls, S.D.) Reilly, Christoferson, and Robischon took second in 3:24.73 behind the hosts. 

In 14 events, the Gusties were first in six, claimed the top two spots in four, and were second in 11. 

The Gusties return home Saturday to host UW-Stevens Point on Nov. 9 for a 1 p.m. start in Saint Peter.