Eight Jackrabbit swimmers honored on All-Summit League Team

SIOUX FALLS Eight South Dakota State mens swimmers were recognized Wednesday as all-Summit League performers based on posting top-three finishes at the recently completed league championships.

Senior Denilson Cyprianos led the Jackrabbit contingent by earning all-league recognition in five events – two individual and three relays. A native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Cyprianos finished as runner-up in both the 200-yard freestyle and 200 backstroke at the Summit League Swimming and Diving Championships held Feb. 19-22 at the University of Iowas Campus Recreation & Wellness Center. He also swam on the second-place 400 medley and 800 freestyle relays, as well as the third-place 400 freestyle relay.

Sophomore Cody Vertin received all-league awards in three individual events based on a second-place finish in the 200 breaststroke and third-place showings in both the 200 and 400 individual medleys.

Following is a full listing of the Jackrabbits all-Summit League performers:

• Denilson Cyprianos: 200 Freestyle (2nd), 200 Backstroke (2nd), 400 Medley Relay (2nd), 800 Freestyle Relay (2nd), 400 Freestyle Relay (3rd)
• Sam Johnson: 400 Medley Relay (2nd), 800 Freestyle Relay (2nd), 400 Freestyle Relay (3rd)
• Nik Keuser: 100 Breaststroke (1st), 400 Medley Relay (2nd)
• Zavier Kranz: 800 Freestyle Relay (2nd), 400 Freestyle Relay (3rd)
• Braxton McGrath: 200 Butterfly (3rd)
• Charles Sieglaff: 400 Freestyle Relay (3rd)
• Austin Smith: 400 Medley Relay (2nd), 800 Freestyle Relay (2nd)
• Cody Vertin: 200 Breaststroke (2nd), 200 Individual Medley (3rd), 400 Individual Medley (3rd)

South Dakota State finished third among seven mens teams at the Summit League Swimming and Diving Championships. The Jackrabbits set seven school records and posted a total of 26 top-10 times in program history at the four-day meet.

The school records set at the championships include:

• 200 Freestyle: Sam Johnson 1:37.46
• 100 Breaststroke: Nik Keuser :53.74
• 200 Breaststroke: Nik Keuser 1:57.90
• 200 Individual Medley: Cody Vertin 1:47.92
• 400 Individual Medley: Cody Vertin 3:54.33
• 800 Freestyle Relay: Sam Johnson, Zavier Kranz, Denilson Cyprianos, Austin Smith 6:33.38
• 400 Medley Relay: Denilson Cyprianos, Nik Keuser, Austin Smith, Sam Johnson 3:15.04.

In the womens division, Emma Ingalls set a new Jackrabbit individual record in the 200 individual medley at the league championships with a time of 2:03.82. That performance also was one of 15 top-10 times established during the weekend.