MIDWAY, Ky. - University of Pikeville men's and women's swimming opened their 2025-26 season with a meet at Midway University Saturday. UPike took on Midway and WVU-Tech while at the meet.  

On the men's side, RJ Goins had a very productive meet. Goins won the 400 IM and the 100 backstroke, then finished second in the 1000 meter. Jacob Rubado swam a 1:11.53 in the 100 breaststroke, good for second place in the event. Rubado took fourth in the 50 freestyle, and fifth in the 100 freestyle.  

Newcomer David Exum finished one spot behind Rubado in the 100 freestyle and sixth in the 50 freestyle. Benjamin Mclaughlan had a pair of third place finishes in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Mclaughlan took seventh in the 100 freestyle. Bryce Barton took second place in the 200 backstroke and a pair of fifth place finishes in the 100 backstroke and the 100 fly.  

In the 400 medley relay, the team of Barton, Mclaughlan, Goins, and Rubado swam a 4:19.09 and took fourth place. On the team scores, the men's team were defeated 124-59 by Midway. The men's team were also defeated by WVU-Tech by a final count of 122-60.  

On the women's side, Madelyn Smith won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:19.61. Smith also finished third in the 200 freestyle and fourth in the 500 freestyle. Freshman Kaylin Hatfield swam a 28.28 in the 50 freestyle. Hatfield also came in second in the 100 freestyle, and finished the afternoon with a third place finish in the 100 fly.  

Daylin Patrick had a pair of third place finishes in the 200 backstroke and the 100 backstroke. Patrick also took fourth in the 200 freestyle. On the team scores, the women's team won 66-18 over WVU-Tech. In their head-to-head match agisnt Midway, the Eagles defeated the Bears 167-7.  

The swim Bears will be back in action on October 25th for a home meet against West Virginia Tech.  

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