INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Cleveland State finished the 2024 Horizon League Championships in third place with 525 points. After the meet, head coach Hannah Burandt was named Co-Coach of the Year along with Damion Dennis of IUPUI.
Oakland won their 11th straight #HLSD Championship with 876.5 points, IUPUI came in second with 808 points, and the Vikings in third with 525 points.
"Tonight was our best session because we had fun and focused on our team and our family," said coach Burandt. "Our seniors wrapped up incredible careers and our freshman learned the intensity of this championship meet. We have so much to be proud of, to celebrate, and to analyze. But for now, we are going to eat one last meal as a team with our families."
Coach Burandt continued, "I'm also shocked and honored to have received co-coach of the year honors. The Horizon League is truly becoming a premier swimming and diving conference and to be recognized by my peers means the world to me. We truly have such a friendly conference. It's something special when teams cheer for one another during competition and during awards."
The final day started with the 1650-yard freestyle as Jake Taulbee came in tenth place with a time of 15:59.72. Quinn DeGraaf (16:10.11) came in 13th, Vittorio Cappabianca (16:17.10) in 16th, and Tanner Beck (16:26.04) in 17th.
Jackson Nester had a terrific day in the 200-yard backstroke as the junior finished as the runner-up with the fifth-fastest time in program history, 1:44.06. Earlier in prelims, he clocked a 1:44.45, which is now the seventh-fastest in school history. Dogukan Tombul took 12th in the event after finishing in 1:49.60.
In the 100-yard freestyle, Paddy Johnston came in fourth after matching his prelims time, 43.92, which is the eighth-fastest time in program history. Connor Green (45.25) and Kenny Thomas (45.53) came in 13th and 14th.
Tyler Schultze topped his old school record time in the 200-yard breaststroke as the sophomore swam a 1:56.75, placing him in third. Earlier in the day, he registered a time of 1:58.93, which is now the ninth-fastest time in program history. Aidan Florio won the B-final with a time of 2:01.28 and Blake Fry came in 13th with a time of 2:05.72.
The 200-yard butterfly saw Thomas Lundin place fourth with a time of 1:48.53. Reno James came in 14th with a time of 1:52.72 and Tanner Beck in 16th with a time of 1:57.23.
In 3m diving, Xander Austin came in seventh with 275.90 points and James Wolf was ninth with 319.50 points.
Cleveland State capped off the championship with a third-place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay as Dogukan Tombul, Paddy Johnston, Kenny Thomas, and Connor Green clocked the third-fastest time in program history, 2:57.45.
Team Standings
1. Oakland – 876.5
2. IUPUI – 808
3. Cleveland State – 525
4. Youngstown State – 417
5. Milwaukee – 365
6. Green Bay – 240.5
2024 #HLSD Championships Specialty Awards
Men's Freshman of the Year – Nathan Rariden, IUPUI
Men's Diver of the Meet – Sebastian Otero, IUPUI
Men's Swimmer of the Meet – Spencer Jyawook, IUPUI
Men's Diving Coach of the Year – Eric Barnes, IUPUI
Men's Swimming Coaches of the Year – Hannah Burandt, Cleveland State, and Damion Dennis, IUPUI
