IRVINE, Calif. - Azusa Pacific swimming & diving got off to a strong start in the PCSC Pentathlon and Relays on Saturday to open the 2023-24 season. The Cougars turned in five first place performances in the lanes and finished second place as a team.

Freshman Kya Guikema and returning All-American Montana White were a part of four relay teams that earned first place finishes in the meet. Returning honorable mention All-American Aleena Herrera was also a part of three first place finishes on the day.

"It was a strong start!" said head coach Tim Kyle. "Most to all on the team swam times that were stronger this year than last at this meet! Our freshmen were exciting to see racing at their first collegiate event. Our team rallied around each other today."

In the 800 free relay, Renee Provencal, Guikema, Herrera and White finished first with a time of 7:46.19. Another big win for the Cougars came in the 500 free relay (50, 100, 150, 200) when Delanie Gearing, Hannah Swailes, Guikema and White turned in a time of 4:39.41. 

Herrera, Guikema and White then earned first place in the 3x500 relay with a time of 15:33.42. 

In the final events of the day, Azusa Pacific claimed two more first place finishes to round out its competitive first meet. In the 4x100IM, Victoria Alfaro, Amanda Anderson, Marci Yanagawa and Herrera turned in a time of 4:11.41. Then in the 400 free relay, Ellie Sivesind, White, Swailes and Guikema earned a time of 3:37.00, 

Azusa Pacific also had two second place finishes on the day. In the 3x100 breaststroke relay, Anderson, Gearing and Yanagawa had a time of 3:30.08, and Connor Herrin, Sivesind, Swailes and Yanagawa finished with a time of 1:42.76 in the 200 free relay. 

Up Next: Azusa Pacific returns to the lanes on Saturday, October 14th at the Rodionoff Invitational at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. The meet is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.