WINTER PARK, Fla. - The Lynn swim teams opened the new year with a strong showing on Friday afternoon, as the Fighting Knights women powered past Rollins for a decisive 172–86 victory, while the men dropped a hard-fought 152–110 decision in the season's first dual meet. Lynn showcased depth and balance across the lineup, highlighted by multiple event wins and relay performances, setting an encouraging tone as both squads turn their attention to a Saturday morning tri-meet in Tampa.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Women):
- Lynn opened the meet in strong fashion with a sweep of the top two spots in the 200-yard medley relay, as the team of De Santis, Webster, Twomey and Zavalaga took first in 1:42.51 followed closely by the squad of Piascinska, Schneider, Douthit and Drons (1:46.44)
- Eva Stacey controlled the distance events, winning the 1000 freestyle in 10:48.33 while later adding a runner-up finish in the 500 freestyle (5:12.24)
- Luz Tapia put together a trio of dominant sprint performances, winning the 200 freestyle (1:54.27), 50 freestyle (24.34), and 100 freestyle (53.25)
- The backstroke events were a major point haul for Lynn, highlighted by wins from Ala Piascinska in the 100 back (58.48) and Mariele De Santis in the 200 back (2:04.82)
- De Santis continued her standout meet with victories in the 200 butterfly (2:06.00) and 200 individual medley (2:07.44), while Lydia Douthit took home first in the100 butterfly (57.35)
- Lynn closed the women's meet on a high note, winning the 400 freestyle relay as the quartet of Tapia, Zavalaga, Schneider, and Drons touched first in 3:33.47 to seal the team victory
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Men):
- The Fighting Knights opened the men's meet with a strong second-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay, as Melcer, Tsyfarov, Grabowski and Constable put together a 1:30.71 finish
- Lynn showcased its distance depth early, as Eli Spivak won the 1000 freestyle (9:55.75) with Efe Guler finishing just behind in second (9:55.95)
- Vitaly Kostin anchored the sprint events, capturing first place in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:40.25
- The backstroke events proved pivotal, with Paul Melcer (51.16) and Maurice Grabowski (51.19) finishing first and second in the 100 back, followed by Kamil Geisner winning the 200 back in 1:52.90
- Enzo Constable claimed first place in the 50 free, blitzing out to a 20.74 finish
- Max Tsyfarov delivered a key win in the 200 individual medley, touching first in 1:54.85 to add to Lynn's point total
- Lynn closed the meet with a runner-up finish in the 400 freestyle relay, as Kostin, Constable, Hobbs, and Grabowski combined for a 3:03.28 effort to finish second overall
 
UP NEXT:
The Fighting Knights face a quick turnaround as they head to Tampa to take on both Tampa and Wingate in a tri-meet on Saturday morning at 10 am.