Nelson blisters way to NAIA Provisional Cut in 50 free for second time on Day 1 of Mid-South Conference Championship Meet
DANVILLE, Ky. -- Malik Nelson has certainly made an early statement to begin his college swimming career at Shawnee State.
For the second time in less than three weeks, Nelson posted an NAIA Provisional mark as the sophomore stepped up his time further in the 50 yard freestyle, swimming a strong 21.20 to place sixth in the finals of the event during the opening day of the three-day Mid-South Conference Championships, which are being held at Boles Natatorium in Danville, Ky.
Nelson, who previously swam a 21.52 in the 50 yard freestyle back in a January Tri-Meet against Midway (Ky.) and Pikeville (Ky.), beat that mark in impressive fashion, posting a 21.24 off the rip in preliminary action to qualify for the finals in the event. Nelson then swam faster in the finals, backing up his preliminary seeding with his 21.20 to finish sixth in a strong 50 free field where 11 different swimmers, conference-wide, set NAIA Provisional cuts or better.
Nelson was also part of two relay units that combined to score 60 points Thursday evening -- with the 400 yard medley relay grouping of Nelson, Tony Goodwin, Evan Bower and Evan Siberell placing fourth and the 200 yard freestyle relay group of Nelson, Goodwin, Josiah Ramdeen and Evan Ater also placing fourth.
Ater, Alex Ray and Goodwin also qualified for the 'B' Final in the 50 free -- with the duo placing 12th, 13th and 14th, respectively, in that event. Outside of Cumberlands (Ky.)'s five 'A' or 'B' Final qualifiers in the 50 free, Shawnee State had the most qualifiers in the event of any team in the Mid-South Conference.
Additional finishes are as follows:
- Josiah Ramdeen, Allan Gonzalez, Ian Montgomery -- 13th, 18th, 19th, respectively in 200 yard individual medley
- Luke Lunsford, Thomas Kessler, Evan Bower, Enrique Rosado Lara -- 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th, respectively, in 500 yard freestyle
- Kami Walusimbi, Eric Green -- 29th and 31st, respectively, in 50 yard freestyle
Additional
Action continues Friday and Saturday at Boles Natatorium in Danville.
For more information, check out www.ssubears.com and follow the meet at https://team1sports.com/midsouth/.
