NAIA Top 10 Poll

Kansas City, MO – The UC men's swimming & diving team earned 477.4 points to be ranked third in the first NAIA Top 10 Coaches Poll of the season, the national office announced Friday.  It marks the sixth consecutive poll that the Patriots are ranked in the top three.  

The Patriots have 10 swimmers that account for 25 marks that rank in the top-ten of their respective events, including six that are ranked in the top-five of the NAIA.  Leading the way for UC is Ruben Gonzalez de Oliveira, who has displayed his versatility so far this season earning high marks in five different events.  The freshman's highest ranking came in the 200 free, where he has clocked a 1:43.64 to be ranked third.  Gonzalez de Oliveira is ranked ninth in both the 500 free and 200 IM with times of 4:47.83 and 2:00.86, respectfully, while he is also ranked in the 50 free (21.80) and the 200 back (2:00.86).

Kacper Sobieszuk is ranked sixth in the NAIA in a trio of races, including the 100 fly as he posted a 51.80.  Sobieszuk has gone 1:57.63 in the 200 fly and 1:59.25 in the 200 IM for his other two top-ten performances.  The freshman has also gone 53.96 in the 100 back, which ranks 14^th.

Andres Caicedo, John Morgan McDonald, Martin Herion, and Mikolaj Kala each have a pair of top marks.  Caicedo won the 200 IM against Berry with a time of 1:58.38 to earn a top-five mark, while he is ranked 13^th in the 200 breast (2:13.67).

McDonald continues to be a strong distance freestyler this season as he is ranked fifth in the 1,000 free and 11^th in the 500 free with times of 10:04.01 and 4:51.07, respectfully.

Kala along with Nathan Souza are both ranked in the breast strokes.  Souza has edged out Kala 59.13 to 59.17 as they are ranked tenth and 12^th.  The sophomore, Kala, is also ranked in the 200 breast as he clocked a 2:14.13.

Looking to build off a strong freshman campaign, Herion is ranked ninth in the 200 fly with a time of 1:57.84, while his 52.63 time in the 100 fly puts him 15^th in the NAIA.  Mateu Veny Oliver has also added strong performance in the 200 back as he is ranked 12^th with a time of 2:00.40.

In the 50 free, a pair of Patriots are ranked in the top-15 led by Enzo Esteves who's time of 21.28 is ranked sixth.  Julio Heck da Silva went 21.74 to be ranked 12^th in the event.

Cumberlands relays has performed well this season led by the 400 free relay that is ranked second with a time of 3:13.20.  The Patriots are ranked in the top-10 of three other relays.

Keiser earned 524.48 points to be ranked atop the poll, while Milligan is ranked second.  Lindsey Wilson and Campbellsville are the other two Mid-South schools ranked in the poll.

UC will return to the water Thursday, November 18, when they travel to Barbourville, KY for the Bulldogs Mid-Season Invite.
 
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