Swimmers Open Season at NCAC Relays
The College of Wooster's swimming and diving teams kicked off their seasons with the North Coast Athletic Conference Relay Meet. Wooster's women finished third of seven teams with a 120 points, while the men finished fifth of seven with a 76 points.
The women showed their stamina by finishing third in nearly every event. Sophomore Jessica Ritchie started the streak by leading off the 200-yard medley relay, followed by sophomore Beth Starling, freshman Erin Popelka, and junior Michelle Cady with a third-place time of 1:53.10. The women continued to excel by finishing third in all but one event. The most outstanding performance of the day came in 200 breaststroke relay with freshman Jennifer Bayuk, Starling, senior Leah Becki, and Popelka taking second with a time of 2:07.45. Great diving performances were also added by sophomores Sarah Connolly and Kate Sturgeon.
Despite a small squad, the men's team demonstrated its sprinting prowess and improved on its distance events. A third-place finish was achieved by senior Kagan McKittrick, junior Wes Bennett, sophomore Eric Knauss, and sophomore Seth Pack in the 200 backstroke relay with a time 1:46.86. In the 500 crescendo relay, senior Steve Bayuk, Bennett, Pack, and freshman Alex Hastie placed third with a time of 4:23.74. Taking third in the 200 freestyle relay were Bayuk, McKittrick, junior Dale Edwards, and Bennett with a time of 1:28.80.
"I am pleased with the performance of both teams," said Wooster head coach Keith Beckett. "There were a variety of bright spots during the meet, which we will build upon, as well as some areas we will solidify during upcoming training."
|