SEATTLE — Despite a 3-4 record in head-to-head competition, the Seattle U men's swim team had a solid 2019-20 campaign that included 15 individual and four relay teams top-10 performances as well as an appearance in the CSCAA National Invitational in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Redhawks' appearance on the national stage, was a program-first while under the leadership of head coach Craig Nisgor. Seattle U was represented by juniors Jake Goguen and Jack Neton, sophomore Tyler Goodspeed and freshman Will Corona. Ultimately however the quartet was unable to finish amid the concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the cancelation of sporting events across the world.
Prior to the event's cancelation however, Corona posted a career-best time of 1:49.39 in the 200 IM placing himself second on program's all-time performance list, while Neton checked in at 1:52.89 for ninth all-time.
Seattle U had a slow start to the regular season, falling twice to Grand Canyon. The Redhawks however would rebound for their first dual meet win, with a trip to the Great White North as they took down rival Simon Fraser.
After competing in the Husky Invitational in early December, the Redhawks headed to sunny southern California for winter training and eventually swam against Air Force in an exhibition. The Redhawks and Falcons would then meet twice more a month later in Colorado Springs, with AFA getting the better of Seattle U.
Following the holidays the Redhawks hosted Whitworth in a return to action. Seattle U won all 14 events as it thumped the Pirates. In addition to a dominating victory, the Redhawks also celebrated the careers of seniors Luke Christensen, Shawn Fujii, Greg Raper, Alex Roderick, Ryan Shaw and Zach Zenteno.
Coming off a pair of losses to Air Force, the Redhawks closed the regular season in winning fashion with a decisive home victory over Simon Fraser as they won 10 of 14 events.
A major water main break in the City of Houston, had a significant impact on the WAC Championships resulting an altered event schedule. Despite the complications, the Redhawks strung together quality performances en route to a seventh-place finish.
At the conclusion of the season, the team had 19 new top-10 performances with Corona accounting for a team-best four entries. In addition to the 200 IM, Corona finished the year listed sixth in the 100 freestyle (45.60), fourth in the 400 IM (3:58.71) and ninth in the 200 breaststroke (2:04.05).
In the classroom, the team continued to excel as it posted a combined 3.471 grade point average during the winter quarter.