Cincinnati Swimming and Diving Faces Tough Test Against Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It was a challenging afternoon for the University of Cincinnati swimming and diving teams as they went up against a strong Louisville squad at the Ralph Wright Natatorium. The Bearcats showed flashes of individual brilliance, but the Cardinals controlled the meet from start to finish.
The women’s team fell by a score of 81-207, while the men’s squad was defeated 64-235. But the scoreboard doesn’t always tell the full story - and there were some standout performances worth highlighting.
On the women’s side, Joleigh Crye delivered the top moment of the day, touching first in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58.70. Crye’s win was a bright spot in a meet where Cincinnati was otherwise chasing Louisville’s pace.
Hannah Johnson made her mark in the distance events, grinding out a second-place finish in the grueling 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 16:47.56. That’s a test of stamina and mental toughness, and Johnson held her own in a field stacked with talent.
Mia Hensley and Kate Mardis also came through with runner-up finishes. Hensley clocked a 2:01.09 in the 200-yard butterfly - a technically demanding event that requires precision and endurance - while Mardis posted a 53.98 in the 100-yard butterfly, showing off her sprint speed.
On the men’s side, Aiden Gerst led the way in the pool with a second-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle, touching in 4:28.71. That’s a solid swim in a mid-distance race that demands both speed and pacing - Gerst kept things competitive from start to finish.
In the diving well, Cincinnati had some big moments. Langely Petersen took the top spot in the women’s platform dive, scoring 238.73, while Campbell Lively added a second-place finish in the 3-meter event with a 279.68.
The men’s diving team also made some noise. Ramez Diaa claimed the platform dive title with a score of 372.38 - a strong performance that stood out in a meet where Louisville controlled most of the action.
While the Bearcats didn’t come away with the team results they wanted, the meet offered valuable experience against one of the nation’s top programs. With individual performances like these, Cincinnati has building blocks to work with as they continue their season.