Milligan University’s mens and womens swim teams claimed victory at the AAC Swim Championships, marking the fifth consecutive title for the mens team and the fourth consecutive for the womens team.
The three-day event took place at the Kingsport Aquatic Center’s HMG competition pool, where Milligan’s mens team secured 1,010 total points, while the womens team earned 928 points.
Milligan water buffs achieved over twenty podium finishes, including first-place victories, nine meet records and one school record.
Among the standout performances was sophomore ministry major Madison Akbari’s, who won the women’s 100-yard butterfly with a personal-best time of 58.18 seconds.
“My race went really well,” Akbari said. “Going into it, I was just hoping to survive that last 25. I was so tired, but I pushed myself really hard and kept telling myself I was almost there! In the end, I’m really happy with how I did and proud of how everyone else performed.”
Freshman mechanical engineering major Robert Adam secured a first-place finish in the men’s 200-yard breaststroke.
“Swimming is about sportsmanship, love, and how well you take your role in the team—cheering for your teammates, encouraging them and doing your best when it’s your turn to race,” Adam said. “Milligan sailed through it and proved all of the above. I’m just a small part of this amazing, tight-knit team, and here we are, winning the conference five times in a row. These are the moments that really matter and build lasting memories.”
With their AAC victories, Milligan swimmers will advance to compete at the NAIA Swimming and Diving Championships, which will take place at the Elkhart Aquatic Center in Elkhart, Indiana.
by Alissa Smith
Photo 1: Adam winning photo, credit – Duncan Arnold
Photo 2: Akbari winning photo, credit – Duncan Arnold