Video: Raphael Lima Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Sophomore Raphael Lima (Sao Paulo, Brazil) has been named the Bluegrass Mountain Conference (Gold) Male Swimmer of the Week. This distinction comes after a strong individual performance against Wingate on Nov. 14th in Jefferson City, Tenn.
The standout point for Lima against Wingate was the 100-yd freestyle. Lima set the third fastest program time in the event with a time of 43.88. This time currently stands as the fourth fastest in all of Division II and fourth fastest in the entire state of Tennessee.
"I'm very happy to be named two-time Conference Swimmer of the Week. I've been working hard alongside my teammates," Lima said. "I'm very proud of how the guys competed against Wingate. We fought up until the last relay and this will make us better prepared to compete against tough Conference competition in Wingate and Queens in a couple weeks."
Beyond his stout 100-free time, Lima was also the victor in the men's 100-yd breaststroke with a time of 55.98. Lima was the anchor leg for the winning men's 200-yd freestyle relay who finished with a time of 1:21.88, the men's 400-yd medley relay who finished with a time of 3:19.33, the men's 200-yd medley relay who won with a time of 1:29.74, and the men's 400-yd freestyle relay who won with a time of 3:00.18.
Lima was a stronghold for the Eagles from start to finish, although the Eagles came up a point short of victory from the men, losing by a mere 158-157. This marked the first time the Eagles men's squad lost a home dual meet since the program's first ever meet, or 2,589 days.
It is the second straight time Lima has been bestowed the title of BMC Male Swimmer of the Week. Lima and the Eagles are preparing for their next meet, the Wingate Winter Fest Invitational, from December 17th-19th in Charlotte, NC.
"It is important to have this honor. Gives me more confidence to swim faster and tougher against two top teams in Charlotte," Lima said. "We will be deeper and prepared, so I'm very excited for this competition."
The Eagles also were awarded the Bluegrass Mountain Conference Silver and Bronze Swimmers of the Week in freshman Chase Rayment (South Africa), Silver, and Nicolas Lenuza (Spain) winning Bronze. Rayment was the victor in both the 200-yd backstroke with a time of 1:50.10 and the 100-yd backstroke with a time of 49.99 (4th fastest in program history). Rayment played a crucial role on relays as well, helping the Eagles win the 400-yd freestyle relay with a time of 3:00.18, the 200-yd freestyle relay with a time of 1:21.88, the men's 400-yd medley relay with a time of 3:19.33, and the men's 200-yd medley relay with a time of 1:29.74.
Lenuza was the victor in the 200-yd butterfly with a time of 1:52.91 (5th fastest in program history) and the 100-yd butterfly with a time of 49.27. Lenuza was alongside Rayment on the 200-yd freestyle relay who won with a time of 1:21.88, the 400-yd medley relay who won with a time of 3:19.33, the winning 200-yd medley relay team with a time of 1:29.74, and the winning 400-yd freestyle relay with a time of 3:00.18.
Be sure to keep up with the Eagles swim team all season long on cneagles.com and on all of C-N's social media platforms.
