Scott BresslerWhile the weather outside was frightful, the results poolside were delightful as the women’s swim team won the Washington University Invitational, while the men’s team took third.
Entering the Millstone Pool area was like entering a different world, as the cold brisk winds outside, devoid of people, gave way to a pleasant blanket of warm air, the smell of chlorine and a full house. Regular conversation was nearly impossible as the sound of splashes and yells echoed around the room.
The women’s squad scored 922 points to beat DePauw University by 38 while the men’s squad placed third out of six with a score of 751.5.
Senior Priya Srikanth set the tone for the women after dominating the women’s three meter dive with a score of 476.16, which nearly beat the school record of 477.25 that she had set earlier in the year. Srikanth also won the one meter dive with a NCAA qualifying score of 477.90.
“Priya has been having a fabulous season,” said co-captain and senior Meredith Nordbrock. “She’s incredible.”
Senior Kevin McKee, the lone male diver who is in his first season, took fourth in both diving events.
“They’re a huge asset, as swimming and diving are scored together,” said Nordbrock.
The last home meet of the season drew supporters from all across the country and even some from across the globe, with one parent flying in from Singapore.
The women’s team’s winning ways continued as Nordbrock, classmate Kristen Mann, freshman Devon O’Leary and junior Kelly Kono won the 200-yard medley relay with a season best 1:51.47.
The Bears recently returned from an intense 10-day training regimen in Florida over break, and their hard work paid off. Nordbrock nearly beat her season best in winning the 400-yard individual medley after setting a blistering pace to finish in 4:33. She also won the 200-yard backstroke with freshman Karin Underwood close behind and the 200-yard breaststroke with O’Leary finishing a close second.
Seniors were recognized in a small ceremony with flowers prior to the second day of competition, surrounded by the support of their friends and families who packed the stands.
“I’m going to miss them,” said Coach Brad Shively. “They’re as close a group as I can remember, have great personalities and are fantastic students.”
“It’s been an amazing experience,” added senior Thomas Morris.
A squad composed of seniors Katie Hodges, Mann, Nicole DeFord and Kono narrowly missed winning the 400-yard freestyle relay.
The Red and Green won both 800-yard freestyle relays with the women’s squad of Nordbrock, Underwood, Hodges and sophomore Jessie Lodewyk and the men’s squad of sophomores Alex Beyer and Brian Kushner, junior Kevin Leckey and freshman David Chao.
“It was great as there was a lot of intensity and a lot of fun and competition,” said Coach Shively. “We looked good in the middle of races.”
Kono won both the women’s 500- and 1650-yard freestyle while Beyer, competing in the men’s 1650-yard freestyle for the first time, took third. Beyer also won the men’s 400-yard individual medley.
Kono also took first in the 200-yard freestyle, closely trailed by Hodges. The men also had a one-two finish in their 200-yard freestyle, as Chao and Leckey took first and second respectively.
Freshman Michael Flanagan clocked in at 1:55.48 in the 200-yard butterfly, narrowly missing an NCAA “B” cut time by 0.44 seconds.
The last event of the meet was one of the most exciting as the men’s team competed in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The Bear’s squad of Leckey, Beyer, sophomore Dan Arteaga and Chao immediately took the lead, but was neck and neck with DePauw’s A squad.
That lead changed numerous times as the swimmers competed stroke for stroke. In the final leg of the relay, Chao was a half foot ahead of a Tiger. The crowd was on its feet and all the teams were loudly cheering. With a burst of energy, Chao pulled ahead to win by .53 seconds.
“This meet shows that we’re really prepared for conference,” said Hodges, a co-captain of the women’s team. “We’re really pumped up.”
The Red and Green have their last regular season meet at Principia College scheduled for Jan. 25 with a start time at 6 p.m. before competing at the UAA Championships in February.
“[The UAA Championships] are definitely going to be the toughest meet so far,” said senior Ross Vimr, co-captain of the men’s team. “While we don’t have big numbers, we have enough to make a big splash.”