PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Augustana College continues to dominate the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships, maintaining its lead through the third day of competition at the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex. The Vikings are poised to secure their third consecutive CCIW title, though Wheaton College is mounting a strong challenge.
Through Friday’s events, Augustana has amassed 749 points, leading Wheaton (616) and Carthage (521). Carroll University sits in fourth place with 141 points, followed by Illinois Wesleyan (132), Millikin (118), and North Central (20).
The evening session began with a statement from Augustana, as the team of Luke Rettig, Matthew Meyer, Jake McCormack, and Bjorn Sievert won the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:31.65. This victory underscored Augustana’s strength in relay events, a key component of their championship strategy.
Wheaton quickly responded, showcasing their own depth and talent. Sophomore Jed Ritchie claimed the first individual title of the night in the 400-yard individual medley, finishing in 4:04.74. The Thunder continued their momentum with a win in the 100-yard butterfly, where junior Benjamin Coley touched the wall first in 49.43 seconds. Coley’s performance highlighted Wheaton’s prowess in the butterfly stroke.
Augustana countered Wheaton’s surge with victories in the subsequent events. Senior Tyler Leslie secured the top spot in the 200-yard freestyle, finishing in 1:39.33. While a strong performance, Leslie narrowly missed the NCAA “B” standard, indicating the high level of competition at the championships. Fellow senior Mark Addison followed suit, winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 55.94 seconds. Addison’s victory demonstrated Augustana’s strength in the breaststroke, a consistent area of success for the team.
The competition remained fierce as Wheaton closed out the individual events with another first-place finish. Sophomore Jac Cummings won the 100-yard backstroke in 51.13 seconds, narrowly edging out teammate Benjamin Coley. This close finish underscored the intense rivalry between the two teams and the high stakes of the championship.
The final day of the CCIW Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships is set for Saturday, beginning with preliminary heats at 10:30 a.m. And culminating in the finals at 6 p.m. The schedule includes the 1650-yard freestyle, 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard butterfly, and the 400-yard freestyle relay. The 1650-yard freestyle, in particular, will be a test of endurance and strategic pacing for the swimmers.
The championship’s final day promises a thrilling conclusion, with Augustana and Wheaton battling for the top spot. Wheaton’s strong performance on Friday has closed the gap, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic finish. Carthage remains a contender, aiming to improve their position and challenge for a higher ranking. The outcome will likely depend on the performance of key swimmers in the remaining events and the ability of each team to maximize their points in the relays.
Augustana’s consistent success in recent years, including their previous two CCIW titles, has established them as a dominant force in the conference. However, Wheaton’s emergence as a strong competitor adds a new dynamic to the championship, raising the level of competition and creating a more unpredictable outcome. The rivalry between these two teams is expected to continue, shaping the landscape of CCIW swimming for years to come.
Fans can follow the action and stay updated on the championships through the CCIW’s official social media channels: CCIW on X, CCIW Instagram, and CCIW Facebook.
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), founded in 1946, comprises nine member institutions: Augustana College, Carroll University, Carthage College, Elmhurst University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Millikin University, North Central College, North Park University, and Wheaton College. The CCIW is committed to providing a competitive and enriching athletic experience for its student-athletes.
