Senior and Communication Studies major Simmon Belaineh won gold in the Men’s 50 Freestyle event at the 2017 SCAC Swimming and Diving Championships. Belaineh completed the freestyle at a lightening fast 20.89 seconds and was the first Pirate ever to win the event. In the first night of the four day event, Belaineh, junior Michael Glover, and senior Nathan Townshend also became the second trio in the 50 free event’s history to finish first, second, and third. When asked about what it was like winning gold Belaineh replied, “Absolutely surreal. It was extremely emotional for me because on my last race of my swimming career, I was able to accomplish the one goal I had set for myself since the day I started swimming nearly 10 years ago. No words can truly express what it was like… but winning gold was one of the happiest moments in my life and I will never forget it.” On day two of the meet, Pirates Michael Glover, Matt Sluss, Nathan Townsend, and Belaineh also made first place in the three-for-three relays when they broke Trinity University’s five-year winning streak in the 200-yard freestyle. SU men continued their winning streak into third day in a twenty point lead against Trinity. On the fourth and final day, SU Men finished second with only 5.5 points behind Trinity and left with a total of ten victories, six individual championships, and eight runner-up finishes. Belaineh is currently working on his Communication Studies Senior Capstone and interning with C3 Presents in Austin. When asked why he enjoys Comm Studies he replied, “This major has taught me how to not limit myself and my knowledge and to be a positive force in the world– the conversation can always be pushed further.”