ATHLETICS
Swimmer Luna Mertins claims a national championship
ATHLETICS
Swimmer Luna Mertins claims a national championship
Luna Mertins, class of 2024, headed to the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship for swimming with one goal in mind: to win. Four All-American honors and one first-place title later, she is now part of an elite group of 14 Fighting Knights who have claimed individual national championships.
"Luna is a large part of the reason that we placed 14th at the NCAA championship—our highest-ever finish," said Niki Alvarez, head coach of men's and women's swimming. "Her maturity, composure and sportsmanship are unmatched. She conducts herself with poise while being one of the top athletes in Division II swimming."
"I try not to put too much pressure on myself, to stay relaxed and let whatever is supposed to happen, happen."
Luna Mertins, class of 2024
The sophomore swimmer from Friedberg, Germany kicked off the four-day competition in Greensboro, North Carolina placing sixth in the 50-yard freestyle race.
"Before the conference, I wasn't sure that I would qualify for nationals," said Mertins. "I really started to feel the pressure when I realized that I was in the top-five for each individual event, but I try not to put too much pressure on myself, to stay relaxed and let whatever is supposed to happen, happen."
On day two, she upset the top-seeded swimmer to claim first place in the 100-yard butterfly—the Fighting Knights' first swimming championship since 2016. Mertins finished in 52.19 seconds, over a half of a second faster than her qualifying time, and she was one of only two swimmers to finish in under 53 seconds.
She was in pure shock, she said, remembering how she closed her eyes for the last two strokes. "When I finished my race, I looked at the board about five times because I couldn't believe I won."
Mertins completed her appearance at the championship with second place in the 200-yard backstroke and 200-yard butterfly, bringing home four top-six finishes and three top-two placements, including first in the 100-yard butterfly.
Now that the season is complete, Mertins is taking time to rest and recover. "I'm enjoying more time with friends and just having fun," she said.
"I try not to put too much pressure on myself, to stay relaxed and let whatever is supposed to happen, happen."
Luna Mertins, class of 2024
The sophomore swimmer from Friedberg, Germany kicked off the four-day competition in Greensboro, North Carolina placing sixth in the 50-yard freestyle race.
"Before the conference, I wasn't sure that I would qualify for nationals," said Mertins. "I really started to feel the pressure when I realized that I was in the top-five for each individual event, but I try not to put too much pressure on myself, to stay relaxed and let whatever is supposed to happen, happen."
On day two, she upset the top-seeded swimmer to claim first place in the 100-yard butterfly—the Fighting Knights' first swimming championship since 2016. Mertins finished in 52.19 seconds, over a half of a second faster than her qualifying time, and she was one of only two swimmers to finish in under 53 seconds.
She was in pure shock, remembering how she closed her eyes for the last two strokes. "When I finished my race, I looked at the board about five times because I couldn't believe I won."
Mertins completed her appearance at the championship with second place in the 200-yard backstroke and 200-yard butterfly, bringing home four top-six finishes and three top-two placements including first in the 100-yard butterfly.
Now that the season is complete, Mertins is taking time to rest and recover. "I'm enjoying more time with friends and just having fun," she said.
