INDIANAPOLIS- After competing at the Great Midwest/ Mountain East Conference Championships, the postseason will continue for several swimming student-athletes from Ashland, Findlay, and Hillsdale.
The NCAA Swimming & Diving Championship qualifiers were announced Wednesday afternoon for Division II as the nation’s best will pack their bags for Indianapolis.
Student-athlete qualifiers either hit “A” or “B” cut standards throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
After winning the G-MAC/MEC Swimmer of the Meet award in Canton, Findlay junior Matteo Filippi qualified for nationals in the 1,650 freestyle. This is Filippi’s third national championship appearance.
Filippi is joined by seven of his teammates, including Randy Keener who qualified for the 100 and 200 backstroke.
For the women, standout Emily Mears-Bentley qualified for a conference-high four events including the 100 and 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley, and 100 freestyle.
Sasha Melnyk qualified for a pair of events including the 100 and 200 backstroke.
Hillsdale duo Elise Mason and Megan Clifford also qualified for one event apiece. Mason will compete in the 1,650 freestyle, while Clifford qualified for the 200 butterfly.
Ashland divers Joey Lenczyk and Riley Hunt both qualified for the national event for the second straight season.
In total, 20 student-athletes from the Great Midwest will swim at the national meet. The championship will be held March 11-March 15 in Indianapolis as part of the Division II National Championship Festival.
A full list of qualifiers can be found below.
| Name |
School |
Event |
| Luca Chiandussi |
Findlay |
100 breaststroke |
| Matteo Filippi |
Findlay |
1650 freestyle |
| Randy Keener |
Findlay |
100 backstroke, 200 backstroke |
| Marko Priednieks |
Findlay |
200 breaststroke |
| Dags Bregis |
Findlay |
relay |
| Zein Kawas |
Findlay |
relay |
| Santiago Arteaga |
Findlay |
relay |
| Peter Helmuth |
Findlay |
relay |
| Troie Grubbs |
Findlay |
50 freestyle |
| Sofia Lesmes Montes |
Findlay |
100 butterfly |
| Emily Mears-Bentley |
Findlay |
100 butterfly, 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley, 100 freestyle |
| Sasha Melynk |
Findlay |
100 backstroke, 200 backstroke |
| Katie Susi |
Findlay |
100 breaststroke |
| Olivia Scheibelhoffer |
Findlay |
relay |
| Sydney Jones |
Findlay |
relay |
| Macee Reckard |
Findlay |
relay |
| Megan Clifford |
Hillsdale |
200 butterfly |
| Elise Mason |
Hillsdale |
1,650 freestyle |
| Joey Lenczyk |
Ashland |
Diving |
| Riley Hunt |
Ashland |
Diving |