FORT PIERCE, Fla. - Billy Cruz and his historic freshman season continued here Wednesday during day one action at the NJCAA Swimming Championships.
Cruz earned the second national title in Iowa Central program history, winning the 50 free in 19.57.
The gold follows one earned by Emile Lutzeler last year for the Tritons. Lutzeler was second in the event to Cruz with a time of 20.33 in the 50.
"It is just incredible to continue to add to our program history," ICCC head coach Joe Plane said. "These kids continue to work hard and push themselves every single day. Now, they are enjoying those rewards."
Overall, both the men's and women's team are second behind defending champion and host Indian River State. Action continues through Saturday.
Along with the one-two finish by Cruz and Lutzeler, Vincent Fletcher was fourth in the 50 free in 21.00 and Lutzeler added a fourth in the 50 breast in a school-record time of 26.11.
Marcelo Busch was fifth in the 1000 free in 9:43.20 and Tjeerd Van Stein fifth in the 200 I.M. in 1:53.20. Vini Molz placed sixth in the 1000 free in 9:43.20 with Drew Giles (ninth, 50 breast, 26.69), Mariano Sosa (ninth, 200 I.M., 1:53.83) and Cameron Keck (10th, 50 breast, 27.28) adding Top-10 finishes.
The Triton 800 free relay of Van Stein, Molz, Gerard Ijspeert and Busch earned silver with a time of 6:53.9.
For the women, Emilie Andrin was third in the 50 breast in 30.11 and sixth in the 200 I.M. in 2:11.25, with Magali Mouton also scoring a pair of Top-10 finishes. Mouton was fifth in the 50 breast (30.38) and ninth in the 200 I.M. (2:15.61).
Zoe Beals (fifth, 50 free, 25.60), Eve Berg (sixth, 1000 free, 10:59.6), Mary Marshall (seventh, 200 I.M., 2:12.64), Paula Ronda (eighth, 200 I.M., 2:12.80) and Majo Diaz (ninth, 50 free, 25.75) helped score points with top finishes. Berg dropped nearly six seconds from her previous best.
Diaz, Marshall, Mouton and Berg set a new school record in the 800 free, coming home in 7:59.01 to place third. The relay dropped seven seconds off their previous best.