ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Fresno Pacific closed out the 2010 NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships in a huge way, bringing home plenty of hardware with their first and third finishes.  The men took home their first National Championship in their program's three-year history.

Cheyenne Coffman was the individual highlight for the Sunbirds, earning the Female Swimmer of the Year with her eight victories and four national records.  On the last night, Coffman won her third individual event in the 100 freestyle. The ladies also finished the meet with a victory in the 400 freestyle relay.

The women were perfect, winning all five relays at the National Championship where Coffman, Stacy Carter and Brooke Turner were involved in all five victories.

Turner also won the 1650 freestyle for the women in their third place finish.  Carter, Alicia Cleveland and Elena Mounts all also finished in the top-eight in the 100 freestyle, 200 backstroke and 200 breaststroke, respectively.

The men were less about the individual accomplishments, and more focus on the team all weekend, and the final night of competition was no different.  The men began the night with four men finishing in the top-eight in the 1650 freestyle led by Woogie Yada's third place finish.

Erik Thiessen continued the momentum with a huge victory in the 200 backstroke.  Carl Weigley finished second in the 100 freestyle while Bart Kelly finished fifth in the 200 breaststroke.  Seamus Alger was the Sunbirds' top finisher in the 200 butterfly with a fifth place finish.

Ray Eggert came up big for the Sunbirds with a tough double in the 200 backstroke and 200 butterfly where he placed in the top-eight in both events.

The women were almost runner-up, finishing only 21 points behind California Baptist.  The men dominated the field, winning on the men's side by over 150 points.

Head Coach Peter Richardson added to the Sunbirds' hardware at the conclusion of the meet, being voted the Women's Coach of the Year.  Last season Coach Richardson was named the Men's Coach of the Year, giving Fresno Pacific its second Coach of the Year award in its three-year history.

"Everyone swam great.  The men's goal all year was to win a national title, and all season we stayed focused on our goal," exclaimed Coach Richardson. "It feels great for everything to pay off."

Last season the men finished runner-up to Cal Baptist while the women finished fourth.

Coach Richardson continued, "We were very happy with our women's [third place] finish.  They were awesome, and the men couldn't have won without the support from the women's team.  Our men's title belongs to this whole team."