In four years with the CUI Swim and Dive team, Kyle Benjamin received the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference Division II Athlete of the Week award, following a new record in the 100 IM event for the school.

According to Benjamin, “I mainly focus on swimming the 400 individual medley, 500 freestyle, the 1650 freestyle, and 200 breaststroke. Also, if you ask anyone on the team, they will say that I can swim anything.” After a successful season for Benjamin, the team also scored well at the recent La Verne Winter Invitational in November, taking first place.

Benjamin noted, “For me, I couldn't have achieved everything I have without the love and support of the team, coaches, my family and friends. I get to experience this season more as a leader since I have reached the high point in college athletics and get to share my knowledge, especially with the freshman and sophomores. He added, “It is very cool to see how this team has blossomed from the beginning of the year till now.”

According to cuieagles.com, Benjamin has “qualified for the NCAA “B” cuts in the 500 free, the 400 IM and the 1650 free." Benjamin stated, “this season has by far been one of my favorites throughout my collegiate career. The atmosphere behind this team is like no other.” Benjamin added, “We all have one goal on our mind: to be our very best at conference and hopefully win. This is the biggest team we have had in my career at Concordia, with about 60 people. As a team, we have already accomplished so much in the first half of our season.”

Benjamin said, “Every year I have a few goals in mind. One is to get better every season and make Nationals every year. I feel like I have accomplished these goals because I have been able to qualify for Nationals for the past four years.”

Benjamin ranks first in four different events in the PCSC. His strong dedication to his craft has not come at the expense of his studies. Majoring in Business, Benjamin has excelled through courses. He said, “Coming in as a freshman, I struggled with balancing the workload between school and swim. It took a few mistakes for me to learn but now we found that common ground. Benjamin added, “It is all about your time management skills.”

Benjamin’s coaching has also provided support through his athletic journey. “The team wouldn't be where we are today without the help of our amazing coaching staff. Coach Bert, Chiara, Rachel, Eddie and Joao have created a training plan to allow us to achieve greatness. Bert and Chiara have been some of my biggest supporters for the last two years. When you need anything, they are always there and personally listen to what I have to say,” said Benjamin.

The CUI swim and dive team will compete next weekend, Dec. 17 through Dec. 19 in Riverside, CA for the Lancer Invitational, hosted by California Baptist University (CBU). The Eagles hope to continue a successful season as more swimmers qualify for conference championships in February.

Tags: Swim and Dive, Men's Athletics, event

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About Owen Milligan

Owen Milligan is Editor-in-Chief of the student-run Concordia Courier, campus newspaper for Concordia University Irvine. Owen is from Riverside, CA, currently completing a BA in Business Administration. Owen’s emphasis of study is in Finance and Business Data Analytics. He also completed a minor in Communication Studies.

In his current role, Owen oversees four coverage areas for the newspaper - campus life, sports, arts, and local and global news coverage. He also works closely with design editor, Ryann Beveridge. Owen and the Courier staff write and edit using AP Style. Owen’s role allows him to interact with community pillars, both students and faculty, in live interviews and communications with the newspaper readership upon publication.

Owen believes in both critical analysis in business, applying data to the newspaper and examining articles closely when editing. Owen also works as a Power Analyst for the community choice aggregate Silicon Valley Clean Energy.

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