The Lawrence University swimming and diving teams traveled down to Chicago this past weekend to compete in a six team invitational. The women took third place with a final score of 402. They were led by strong performances in individual events with strong relay times as well. To top it off, junior diver Jessy Adams earned 11 points in the diving competition to help the women earn forth place.
The relay teams competed strong in the 200-yard medley, placing eighth with a time of 2:02.35. They placed even higher in the 800-yard freestyle relay, taking fourth place with a time of 8:37.97.
Along with the strong performances as a team, the women had top finishes from many different swimmers. Sophomore Becca Hamlyn took seventh place in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 29.50. Senior Sam Szynskie took eighth place in the 100-yard freestyle with a strong time of 58.35. Senior Hayley Vatch also swam well, placing fourth in the 500-yard freestyle in 5:19.09 and second in the 1,650 with a time of 18:04.51.
The men’s team was not to be outdone this past weekend, taking fifth place with a final score of 343.
The relay team of freshman Peter Brengel, sophomore Nick Johsnon, senior Taylor Brengel and freshman Tom Smith took fifth place in the 400-yard medley relay in a time of 3:48.11. The same four men took fourth place in the 200-yard medley relay in a time of 1:43.16.
The men stepped it up in the individual events as the day went on, taking four of the top nine places in the 100-yard breaststroke, with Smith, Johnson, senior Matt Yauch and freshman Jared Blommel all swimming exceptionally well. Peter Brengel followed that up with a second place finish in the 100-yard backstroke in 53.42. Senior Kyle Griffin took eighth place in the 1,650 freestyle in 17:49.99.
Not only were the men competitive with the other schools, they continued to push each other to better times as well. Johnson and Yauch finished fifth and sixth in the 200-yard breaststroke with great times.
Both the men and women head to Lake Forest this weekend for a dual meet on Saturday as they continue to improve and prepare for the Midwest Conference Championships Feb. 13-15.
Swimming and diving finish strong at UW-Stevens Point
