13 Howard Bison swimmers and divers closed their season at the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) National Invitational Championships in Ocala, Florida with the women’s team placing 18th and the men’s team securing the 29th spot.
Throughout the three-day meet from March 13-15, the athletes showcased their skills against swimmers and divers across the Division I conferences, competing against rivals such as Wagner College Central Connecticut State University.
The CSCAA is the country’s first professional coaching association for intercollegiate athletics founded in 2014 with approximately 110 swimmers from six teams. It has grown into the largest collegiate postseason championship with an average of 700 swimmers and divers from 60 schools throughout all Division I conferences, according to their website.
After the Bison dominated at the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championships, with the men’s team earning first place and women securing second, 13 athletes qualified for the CSCAA National Invitational Championships.
All entrants were required to meet qualifying standards to enter this meet, having to make certain times or place first in an individual event or relay at their conference championship meet.
The men’s team scored a total of 68.5 points with an average performance of 676.1. Five swimmers set new personal bests, including: senior Darin Johnson in the 50-yard breaststroke (24.89), sophomore Mason Green in the 50- and 200-yard butterflies (21.92 and 1:48.85), junior Darien Williams in the 100-yard backstroke (49.15) and Junior Taj Benton in the 100-yard freestyle (45.34).
Seniors Erald Thompson and Johnson set season-best times, with Thompson coming in at 25.83 in the 50 yard breaststroke and Johnson clocking in at 51.11 in the 100 individual medley.
Green, a sophomore Spanish major and business administration minor from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said he believes the men’s team performed “very well” at the meet and that their performance was a reflection of their concentration on their form and mental state.
The women’s team scored a total of 175 points with an average performance of 749.6. Within this group, four swimmers set new personal bests including: sophomore Chanice Posada in the 50 yard backstroke with a time of 25.18 and in the 100 individual medley at 57.81, junior Zuilda (Zuzu) Nwaeze in the 100 freestyle with a time of 49.38 and senior Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson in the 100 individual medley with a time of 56.56.
“It was really emotional for me, especially after my races to think ‘wow this is the end, it’s over,’” Thompson, a senior health science major from Nassau, Bahamas, and captain of the women’s team said. “But I’m glad I made the decision to come to Howard and I’m really really proud of the career that I was able to have here.”
Three Bison finalists showcased their skills on the last day of the meet, including Green swimming the 200 butterfly, Nwaeze swimming the 100 freestyle and Thompson swimming the 100 individual medley.
While the CSCAA National Invitational Championships marked the conclusion of the season for the Bison, Posada, a sophomore psychology major from Houston, is confident the team showcased the skill and athleticism that Howard athletes possess.
“We are making waves in this sport, and we’re starting to get the attention that we finally deserve,” Posada said. “I think that we can continue to reach new heights if we all come together and inspire each other.”
Copy edited by Aniyah Genama
