The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams at California Baptist University kicked off a successful season with three of their swimmers breaking CBU records.
Scott Tolman, sophomore computer science major, Emily Dunkerson, sophomore history and political science double major, and Sofia Petrenko, senior business administration major, have recently picked up honors from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Dunkerson received RMAC Diver of the Week Dec. 20 and has been excelling in diving by securing two second-place finishes Oct. 21 at the Lancer Swim and Dive Invitational.
Dunkerson said she was surprised at earning that honor from RMAC.
“There are so many RMAC divers,” Dunkerson said. “I always try and do my best when I’m in competition.”
Petrenko, who made her debut season for CBU after transferring from Wingate University, also earned RMAC Swimmer of the Week Dec. 20 and recently broke CBU’s records for the 200-yard individual medley and the 200-meter butterfly.
Petrenko said she was shocked about earning the award from RMAC and talked about her future ambitions.
“My goals are to enter Nationals and break more records,” Petrenko said.
Petrenko said she wanted to bring other people to the NCAA Championship with her.
“This may be CBU’s last chance for a high rank on NCAA Division II,” Petrenko said.
Tolman earned the RMAC Swimmer of the Week two consecutive weeks and broke CBU records for the 200-yard breaststroke and the 300-meter breaststroke.
Rick Rowland, head coach of swimming and diving at CBU, said he was excited for the athletes to earn high honors.
“At the Lancer Invite, the athletes earned high ranks in the NCAA with fast times,” Rowland said.
The Lancers will be in action again at home Jan. 20 at noon against University of California, San Diego.
