Against Lindenwood, the women’s team finished first in eight of 11 events while the men’s squad won seven of 11 events despite returning from an eight-day training trip the night before.

“The girl’s team overall dominated,” senior, co-captain Alyssa Pagliere said. “They did an excellent job of bringing the heat.”

Sophomore Karin Underwood took first in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:15.73, clocking in ahead of her closest opponent by more than 20 seconds. Senior Kelly Kono took a pair of wins in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard breaststroke while freshman Karina Stridh submitted an NCAA ‘B’ cut time of 53.10 in the 100-yard freestyle. Stridh is automatically qualified for nationals in that event, as she swam to a school record time of 51.19 last December at the Wheaton Invitational.

Freshman Chris Valach swam to a Wash. U. season best time of 9:47.52 in the 1,000-yard freestyle and junior Daniel Arteaga took first in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 22.12 seconds. “We’ve been working really hard, really just getting ready for conference,” senior, co-captain Kevin Leckey said. “This is the year we’re going out at conference and impressing everyone.”

Although Wednesday’s dual meet against Wabash only featured the men’s team, the women’s team stood poolside to cheer on their teammates. “It meant a lot to me and the guys,” Head Coach Brad Shively said.

The men triumphed in eight of 11 events against Wabash with a 122-82 victory. Sophomore David Chao and junior Alex Beyer finished first in two events each as Chao captured the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events while Beyer won the 200-yard freestyle and butterfly.

“We‘re a work in progress,” Shively said. “None of us are finished products, and there’s a lot of room for improvement.”

One of the more exciting events was the collegiate debut of freshman Jordan Branham who was sidelined in the fall semester due to injury. “It felt great internally [to the members of the team],” Shively said. “Branham comes in everyday.”

The bonds displayed at the meets were previously solidified over the team’s winter break trip where the squad had 15 intense practices. “You spend every waking minute with your team,” Leckey said.

“Eat, swim, sleep, rinse and repeat,” Pagliere said.

The Bears will have their final home meet of the season on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. The Washington University Invitational promises to be an emotional meet, according to the captains, especially for seniors Leckey, Pagliere, Kono, Charles Stewart, Julian Beattie and Kyle Ota, who will all have their last meets at the Millstone Pool.

“It’s been an honor to swim with our seniors these past three years, and I’m going to miss them all,” junior Kim Moeller said.

The seniors will be recognized for their contributions during the meet. “It’s definitely one of those bittersweet moments,” Pagliere said.

“It’s been tough being a student athlete, especially at a place like Wash. U.,” Leckey said. “But I wouldn’t trade [the experience] for anything.”