ALISO VIEJO, Calif. –  The Soka University Lions hosted the Fifth Annual Wyatt Balman Invitational at the Soka University Aquatics Center on Saturday, November 8. Before the start of the swimming events, Soka Athletics honored the memory of Wyatt with opening remarks from Head Swim Coach Adam Crossen, followed by an audio recording of Wyatt singing the national anthem. The Wyatt Balman Invitational will continue to be held annually at Soka University.
 
Thomas "Wyatt" Balman tragically passed away on October 13, 2020, back home in Manhattan, KS. Wyatt was a third-year student and member of the Soka University swim team. Wyatt loved swimming and attending school in Aliso Viejo, California, for the beaches, mountains, and people.
 
Wyatt was a scholar-athlete in the classroom and an NAIA qualifier in the pool. Wyatt dreamed of attending medical school with hopes of becoming an Obstetrical/Gynecological surgeon. He also aspired to serve with Doctors without Borders. He was driven to learn about the history, politics, and socio-economic conditions of people suffering injustices.
 
While attending Soka University, Wyatt felt blessed with opportunities to learn about cultures and traditions different from his own. Wyatt also enjoyed the water; when he wasn't in the ocean surfing before practice, he could be found at the pool with his teammates. Wyatt was a gifted musician and enjoyed singing and performing. He relished singing the national anthem at sporting events and took great pride in making a lasting impression on those that he performed in front of. He could also be heard singing and playing guitar with his friends throughout the dorms.
 
Wyatt was there for everyone and never hesitated to lend a helping hand. Wyatt's humility and empathy enabled him to open his heart to others. His immeasurable compassion allowed him to be an ear for friends from all over the world. His death was a tragic loss. It is rare for someone to have touched so many and so deeply- But Wyatt was that someone. He is loved and missed by many. We will always be proud of the man he chose to be.
 
Men's Highlights

• The 200 Medley Relay team of Alex Skrzypek, Jaeger Frazier, Feliks Czarnecki, and Rion Kunimoto placed 2nd in 1:42.53.
• Alex Skrzypek won the 200 Backstroke in 2:07.78, Soka's top finish of the meet, and added a 3rd-place swim in the 100 Butterfly at 58.01.
• Jaeger Frazier placed 2nd in the 200 Breaststroke (2:20.33) and 3rd in the 200 Individual Medley (2:09.06), both strong performances.
• Rion Kunimoto took 3rd in the 100 Backstroke (1:02.53) and 5th in the 100 Butterfly (58.70).
• Feliks Czarnecki contributed in relay events, including the 200 Free Relay.
• The 200 Free Relay (Skrzypek, Czarnecki, Kunimoto, Rydberg) placed 2nd in 1:37.77.
• Ren Rydberg swam 1:22.47 in the 100 Backstroke and 1:07.59 in the 100 Freestyle.

Women's Highlights

• Beatriz Ulian Vilanova led the women's team with 4th in the 200 Backstroke (2:41.29), 1:12.96 in the 100 Backstroke, and 1:18.72 in the 100 Butterfly.
• Kayla Robertson swam 1:33.15 in the 100 Backstroke, 34.66 in the 50 Freestyle, and 1:18.20 in the 100 Freestyle.
• Hana Imamura (1:24.58 100 Free) and Rubi Barraza Hernandez (1:42.90 100 Free) added swims in multiple events.
• The 200 Free Relay of Ulian Vilanova, Robertson, Imamura, and Barraza Hernandez finished 5th with a time of 2:21.61.