Pirates Continue To Excel Internationally

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- Competing for his home country of Bulgaria, ECU rising sophomore Lyubomir Epitropov finished 25^th in the 200 breaststroke at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships held last month in Gwangju, South Korea.

He finished the race in a personal-best time of 2:11.78, narrowly missing a trip to the semifinals. Epitropov also competed in the 100 breaststroke and placed 40^th.

"Lyubomir and his coaches at home did an outstanding job preparing him for that stage," ECU head coach Matthew Jabs said. "He set a personal-best time by two seconds, competing against the best in the world. Often times we compare accomplishments to the athletes in our conference or even the country he or she is from, but this was the world. That's pretty impressive."

Epitropov wasn't the only Pirate to enjoy international success this summer as Magnus Andersen and Shannon Stott excelled in their native countries' championship events.

Andersen claimed the gold medal in the 200 backstroke at the Danish Long Course Swimming Championships and was a member of the gold-medal winning 400 medley relay team.

Stott was a finalist in the 200 butterfly at British Swimming Championships, finishing in eighth-place.

"I'm really happy for Magnus and Shannon," Jabs said. "Unlike many other sports swimming does not have an offseason. To be great, and achieve at the highest level you must be committed to training and competing year round. Seeing what our athletes were able to accomplish this summer, sets them up for a very successful college season."

ECU will open the 2019-20 season on Sept. 28 at Old Dominion before hosting their first home meet Oct. 12 against William & Mary.

"I know myself and our staff is really looking forward to getting everyone back, sitting down with the team, and talk about their summer experience, whether it was world championships, national championships, or their state championship," Jabs explained. "Those experiences will help shape the upcoming season."

Players Mentioned

Magnus Andersen

Lyubomir Epitropov

Shannon Stott

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