THE MEET FACTS

Final Score: Clarion 151, Gannon 143
Location: Carneval Athletic Pavilion Pool
Date: October 17th, 2025

ERIE, Pa. – In a meet that was a back and forth affair, the women's swim team battled down to the final relay, ultimately falling 151–143 at the Recreation and Wellness Center pool to Clarion. 

Maria Shines: Mariia Melnyk (Kyiv, UA) led the way with three individual victories, sweeping the 100 back (58.94), 100 free (53.64), and helping the 200 medley relay (1:48.68) to first alongside Juliana Romero (Bogotá, Columbia/Colegio pureza de Maria) Castro, Amari Ash (Tacarigua, AE/Northgate College, Tacarigua), and Hannah Jacobs (Johannesburg, South Africa).

The Freshman Delivers: Ash sprinted to the win in the 50 free (24.05), while Emily Hedges (Peachtree Corners, Ga./St Pius X Catholic) dominated the 200 fly (2:11.07) and placed third in the 400 IM (4:49.88).

Maria's Opening Act: Maria Valcheva (Sofia, AE/Sports School Vasil Levski) added key points with wins in both breaststroke events, taking the 100 in 1:08.88 and the 200 in 2:25.53, while Hailey Wills (Cleves, Ohio/Seton) earned the 100 fly (58.60) title to round out the individual first-place finishes.

Down to the Wire: The meet came down to the final 200 free relay, where Gannon's quartet of Melnyk, Jocelyn Sawicki (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Jefferson Township), Ash, and Isabella Dietz (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) finished second in 1:39.32 — just behind Clarion's winning 1:38.55 — in a race that ultimately decided the team outcome.

Next Up
Gannon will travel to IUP on October 25th for a matchup with the Crimson Hawks at 1:00 pm.

This story was written using the support of AI.