FORT PIERCE, Fla. - It's only fitting that Indian River State College's official colors are blue and GOLD.
On Saturday, the Pioneers' men's swimming and diving team celebrated a golden milestone, winning its 50th consecutive NJCAA Championship. The Indian River State women won #42 in a row (and #43 overall), giving the Pioneers yet another sweep in the pool.
A festive atmosphere, complete with live music, food trucks, interactive games, post-meet fireworks and more greeted spectators for Saturday's final session, in anticipation of an historic night. To no one's surprise, Indian River State didn't disappoint.
The Pioneers ended the championship with a final team score of 1,330 points. Indian River State was led by NJCAA Swimmer of the Year Anderson Brown and Diving Coach of the Year David Suba.
The Pioneers had 21 event wins and set two new national records during the meet. Brown set a new record in the 200 fly with a time of 1:44.84, and Joshua Parry set a new record in the 50 fly with a time of 21.07.
The IRSC women were equally dominant, finishing with a final team score of 1,374 points behind NJCAA Swimmer of the Year Ana Villamil and Diver of the Year Alexandra Andueza.
Like the men, the Pioneers claimed 21 event wins; but they set three new national records in the process: Andueza set a new record in the 1-M and 3-M dive with scores of 293.10 and 323.70, respectively. Villamil set a new record in the 50 breaststroke with a time of 28.28.
The College of the Florida Keys placed tenth in the men's team scoring with 45 points. Tugas swimmer Eddie Kertis, a 62-year old retired Army Colonel, proved to be one of the more popular swimmers in the meet. Florida Keys finished 11th in the women's team scoring with 20 points.
Individual awards:
- NJCAA Men's Swimmer of the Year: Anderson Brown, Indian River State
- Jack Cistriano Service Award: Trish Powers, Indian River State
- NJCAA Men's Diving Coach of the Year: David Suba, Indian River State
- NJCAA Women's Swimmer of the Year: Ana Villamil, Indian River State
- NJCAA Women's Diver of the Year: Alexandra Andueza, Indian River State
- NJCAA Women's Diving Coach of the Year: David Suba, Indian River State
Recaps of both meets are available through the NJCAA web site.