The Lawrence University swimming and diving team finished strong at home as the women took fourth and then men took second place overall. The Vikings had several individual MWC Champions as well.Vikings coach Kurt Kirner said, “I’m pleased with the way both teams performed this weekend. A number of individual swimmers did exceptionally well, and the only disappointment of the weekend was that our women couldn’t defeat St. Norbert for third, though they did beat them in the final relay of the meet.”
Grinnell took home first place on both the men’s and women’s side once again. The Individual swimmers of the year were Chelesa Bueter for Lake Forest and Jason Reeves from Knox.
The LU men had several great individual finishes, and several individual and relay champions. The 800 free relay team took first place, and 4 others took second. The 400 free, 200 medley, 200 free and the 400 medley relays all took second place. The 500 free was the best event for LU, as the Vikings swept the events top three places.
Adam Kolb took first, Paul Schook took second, and Chris Perry took home third place for Lawrence. Perry also won the 100 butterfly. Schook and Kolb traded places in the 1650 free, as Schook took first and Kolb second. Kolb also won the 200 freestyle. David Danenhower took home 3rd in the 400 IM, and third place in the 100 free as well. Steve Vander Naalt took second in the 200 IM, and third in the 100 backstroke. Kirner had this to say about Schook, “He did everything and more that he had to. He has greatly improved over his four years here and was just waiting for his chance.”
The women also fared very well. The women were just as successful individually and on relays as the men. The Viking relay team took second in the 400 medley, and took third in the 200 medley.
Individually, Meggin Brittan and Jodie Primus had great weekends. Primus won the 100 breaststroke, winning the event over St. Norbert’s Val Thiel for the first time. Primus also took third in the 200 IM, in which Brittain took second. Brittain added that to her two titles in the 100 and 200 backstroke events, all while recovering from mono. Mara Sarabia also took home third in the 1650 freestyle for the women.
Kirner talked very highly of Primus and Brittain, “Jody swam very well, and finally beat Val Thiel for the first time in her career, Meggin was amazing, even more so since she won two titles while coming back from mono. Another swimmer who was great was Meredith Claycomb, in making finals in events that weren’t expected.”
The Vikings are done for the year, and will return to practice a October.