Smith Captures Gold on Night Two of CAA Championship

Thursday, February 29

Hampton, Va.

Drexel University

CAA Championships

Smith Captures Gold on Night Two of CAA Championship

2/29/2024 9:25:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving

Day 1 (Wednesday) | Day 2 (Thursday) | Day 3 (Friday) | Day 4 (Saturday)

HAMPTON, Va. – Sebastian Smith won a medal in the 50 free and paired with Dimi Gkelis, Kacper Karnik and Jakub Kwasny to help the Drexel men's swimming and diving team capture two more medals on night two of the CAA Swimming and Diving Championships at the Hampton Aquaplex. The Dragons are in fourth with 172.5 points.

The Dragons began the night with an impressive performance in the 500 free by Alessio Gianni. After missing the A Final race by 0.7 seconds, Gianni dropped 1.40 seconds and won the B Final race, touching the wall in 4:27.53.

In the 50 free, two Dragons punched their tickets to the evening's A Final race. Smith placed third in the preliminary race, while Jakub Kwasny finished in fifth. Smith's swim set a new program standard at 19.80 seconds. In the finals race, Smith dropped his time even more, setting another program mark with a 19.57 swim. With that time, the sophomore earned his second gold medal of the tournament, topping second place by 0.22 seconds. Kwasny finished the finals tied for fourth place, short of third by 0.03 seconds.

The Dragons capped the night with a third-place finish in the 400 medley relay. The team of Gkelis, Karnik, Kwasny, and Smith finished the race in 3:09.37. That time also set a new program record, topping a time set last year by Gianni, Karnik, Smith and Kwasny by 1.7 seconds.

The Dragons return to the Hampton Aquaplex on Friday night for night three of the CAA Championships. The third night of competition features the 100 fly, 400 IM, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back, the men's 3-meter diving and the 200 free relay. Prelims begin at 10 a.m. The finals will kick off at 6 p.m. The entirety of the 2024 CAA Swimming and Diving Championships, including preliminaries, will be streamed on FloSwimming.

STANDINGS THROUGH THURSDAY
1. UNCW 304
2. Delaware 239.5
3. Towson 228
4. Drexel 172.5
5. William and Mary 137.5
6. Monmouth 93

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday (Prelims: 11 a.m. | Finals: 4 p.m.)
200 Medley Relay
Men's 1m Diving
800 Free Relay

Thursday (Prelims: 10 a.m. | Diving Prelims: 12:30 p.m. | Finals: 6 p.m.)
500 Free
200 Medley
50 Free
Women's 3m Diving
400 Medley Relay

Friday (Swimming Prelims: 10 a.m. | Diving Prelims: 12:30 p.m. | Finals: 6 p.m.)
100 Fly
400 Individual Medley
200 Free
100 Breast
100 Back
Men's 3m Diving
200 Free Relay

Saturday (Swimming Prelims: 10 a.m. | Diving Prelims: 12:30 p.m. | Finals: 6 p.m.)
1650 Free
200 Back
100 Free
200 Breast
200 Fly
Women's 1m Diving
400 Free Relay

MEDAL FINISHES
Gold
50 Free – Sebastian Smith – 19.57

Silver
200 Medley Relay – Dimi Gkelis, Kacper Karnik, Jakub Kwasny, Sebastian Smith – 1:25.25

Bronze
400 Medley Relay – Dimi Gkelis, Kacper Karnik, Jakub Kwasny, Sebastian Smith – 3:09.37

MEDALS BY DAY
Wednesday
SILVER
200 Medley Relay – Dimi Gkelis, Kacper Karnik, Jakub Kwasny, Sebastian Smith – 1:25.25

Thursday
GOLD
50 Free – Sebastian Smith – 19.57

BRONZE
400 Medley Relay – Dimi Gkelis, Kacper Karnik, Jakub Kwasny, Sebastian Smith – 3:09.37

Friday

Saturday

RECORDS
Wednesday
Silver – 200 Medley Relay - Dimi Gkelis, Kacper Karnik, Jakub Kwasny, Sebastian Smith – 1:25.25 – PROGRAM RECORD

Thursday
Prelims – 50 free - Sebastian Smith – 19.80 – PROGRAM RECORD
Gold – 50 free – Sebastian Smith – 19.57 – PROGRAM RECORD
Bronze – 400 medley relay – Dimi Gkelis, Kacper Karnik, Jakub Kwasny, Sebastian Smith – 3:09.37 – PROGRAM RECORD