FORT WORTH, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's swimming and diving team began their season this past weekend on the road at TCU and North Texas. (Friday, Saturday)

The Cardinals lost to Liberty and TCU on Friday and then dropped a pair of dual meets to Liberty and North Texas on Saturday.  "We started the season off great," said UIW head coach Phil Davis.  "We did not come away with wins, but we did compete well in every part of the meets."

On Friday, Alona Kyselova won a gold, silver and bronze individually.  She took first in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:04.75 and in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:04.56.  She was second in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.85. 

"Alona really carried the banner for our women," said Davis.  "It was nice to see her win races while being behind, which is rare for her.  She dug deep and pulled it out."

The other top performers on Friday were Daria Makieieva and Mariana Olguin.  Makieieva won the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:04.33 while Olguin finished third in the 100-yard freestyle touching the wall in 53.26.

"Dasha Makieieva continues to be a steady pulse for this team," added Davis.  "When she is up-beat and swimming fast, it carries over to the whole team.  She can be infectious with her personality in all the right way."

On Saturday, the team swam against Liberty for the second straight day and added North Texas to the meet.  Mallory Draper won the 1-meter springboard with 231.38 points and is a key part of a diving team that has gotten off to a fast start this season.

Makieieva grabbed her second victory of the weekend with a win in the 200-yard breaststroke.  She hit the wall in 2:20.87.  Kyselova followed up her strong performance on Friday with a runner-up finish in the 200-yard freestyle clocking a time of 1:53.28.

The Cardinals hit the road again this week when they travel to Ouachita Baptist for a dual meet on Thursday.
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