CHICAGO, Ill. (November 24, 2024) - Nebraska Wesleyan Swimming had an unforgettable weekend at the Phoenix Invitational, hosted by the University of Chicago. The Prairie Wolves shattered 12 school records across three days of competition, solidifying their position as one of the most promising teams in the region.
HOW IT HAPPENED
MEN
Nebraska Wesleyan's men's team delivered standout performances throughout the weekend. Distance phenom Zachary Cantorna headlined the action, breaking school records in both the 1000-yard freestyle and the 1650-yard freestyle (16:11.97). Cantorna's pace in the 1650-yard event placed him seventh overall.
The men's 200-yard freestyle relay team of Kai Trotman, Brodie Hoesing, Carter Heaton, and Dylan Fucik showcased exceptional teamwork, clocking a time of 1:27.73 to secure 15th place in a competitive field. In the 400-yard medley relay, Mattia Rosatelli's backstroke split helped propel the team to a time of 3:30.53.
Individually, sophomore Mattia Rosatelli finished the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:03.93 to claim eleventh place. Freshman Alec Zurn impressed in the 100-yard butterfly, securing a time 50.95, which earned him a top-20 finish.
WOMEN
The women's team put on a record-shattering display, highlighted by sophomore Lydi O'Neil, who continued to redefine excellence in freestyle events. O'Neil broke school records in the 50-yard freestyle (24.38) and 100-yard freestyle (52.83) while anchoring the women's 200-yard freestyle relay to a time of 1:37.40 and a eighth-place finish. Her split of 23.22 on the relay was among the fastest among the team.
Freshman Sydney Leslie had a breakthrough weekend in butterfly events, setting new school records in the 100-yard butterfly (58.60) and 200-yard butterfly (2:11.93). Leslie finished first in B-Finals.
The backstroke events were dominated by freshman Lilly Brennan, who set program bests in the 100-yard (59.19) and 200-yard backstroke (2:10.51). Brennan's smooth and powerful strokes in the 200-yard backstroke led her to a ninth-place finish.
Junior Elena Lazzaretto capped the individual highlights by breaking the 400-yard individual medley record with a time of 4:49.85. Lazzaretto's endurance and strategic pacing saw her finish 15th in the finals.
In relay events, the women's 400-yard medley relay team of Brennan, Aubrey Horner, Leslie, and Bea Massa Micon combined for a new school record of 3:59.99. The 200-yard medley relay team also broke a school record, finishing in 1:48.07.
UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan Swimming will be off until the new year. They will dual Luther College in Decorah, Iowa on December 10th and 11th, with high hopes for more record-breaking performances and NCAA qualifying times.
