BISCAYNE BAY, Fla. - For the second time in program history, the Norwich University men's swimming & diving team sent participants to the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) College National Open Water Championship, as Kristian Adlianitski (Cheshire, Conn.) and Andrew Clark (Acworth, Ga.) took part in the 5K Open Water race on Florida International University's Biscayne Bay campus.

Adlianitski and Clark competed against swimmers from across the nation, including NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and NAIA, topping competitors from Florida Atlantic University, Valparaiso College, Colorado College, Saint Michael's College, and Howard University.

Clark swam a 1:17:19.34 on a 24:54 pace to finish in 86th, while Adlianitski was just two spots behind on 1:18:36.83 on a 25:19 pace to come in 88th.  Both finished within the top 10 among Div. III competitors, which included swimmers from Whittier College, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Colorado College, and Union College.

The Cadets competed alongside student-athletes from 29 other institutions, including Villanova University, Purdue University, the University of Cincinnati, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.  The University of South Carolina claimed the men's overall team title, while Ben Wainman of Saginaw Valley State University was the top individual finisher.

Adlianitski and Clark, along with men's swimmers from Saint Michael's College and women's swimmers from the University of Vermont represented the state of Vermont at Sunday's meet.  Dartmouth College and Boston University rounded out the New England regional competition that participated in Biscayne Bay.

Sunday's meet marks just the second time Norwich University has ever sent swimmers to the CSCAA National Open Water Championship after Martin Adlianitski (Cheshire, Conn.) and Benjamin Stark '24 traveled to Biscayne Bay in 2022.  Norwich was slated to have swimmers participate in last year's championship before inclement weather forced its cancelation.

Rice University won the women's team championship, with Ella Dyson finishing first overall for the Owls.

Founded in 1922, the CSCAA is the first professional association of college coaches in the United States.  The CSCAA is dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming and diving at the collegiate level.

LEADERS:

• Andrew Clark (Acworth, Ga.)
  • 86th, 1:17:19.34
    • 8th among Div. III competitors
• Kristian Adlianitski (Cheshire, Conn.)
  • 88th, 1:18:36.83
    • 10th among Div. III competitors

The Cadets will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 11, when the Norwich men's and women's swimming & diving teams return to Goodyear Pool for Senior Day, hosting Elms College and Herkimer County Community College in a tri-meet at 11:00 a.m.