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Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO-born and bred swimmer Denilson Cyprianos earned an automatic qualification for the next edition of the United States Open Water National Championships after finishing within the top five on his debut race.

Cyprianos, an undergraduate at Carson–Newman University, a private Baptist university in Jefferson City, Tennessee, finished Friday’s 5km race in a time of 1:00.57,3.

The race was the first time in two years that Carson-Newman swimming saw action to start the fall season as part of the CSCAA Open Water National Championships at Lone Star Lake in Lawrence, Kansas. The Eagles were led by junior Linda Ungerboeck (Vienna, Austria) on the women’s side while Cyprianos led the men’s team with a top-five finish.

The men’s 5km was won by Zach Ondrej of Northern Michigan (56:10.6) followed by Enzo Kihara of Emmanuel College (1:00.13.2) and Samuewl Jyawook of Maryland Baltimore County (1:00.16.2).

For finishing in the men’s top five, Cyprianos automatically qualified for the United States Open Water National Championships in April, 2022. The event will take place from April 1-3.