Beckett Reaches Milestone in Tankers Wins

Sara Connolly posted her second national-qualifying performance on the one-meter board with a winning score of 248.50.

On Saturday, after recognizing the 10 graduating Wooster seniors who were in their final competition at Timken Natatorium, the Scot men went out and outscored Ohio Wesleyan 138-90, while the women cruised to an emphatic 137-76 victory.

Leading Wooster’s men’s team was sophomore Jim Gilchrist, who won both the 200 individual medley (2:05.93) and the 500 freestyle (5:03.93). Senior Tony Springer placed first in the 1000 freestyle (11:06.80), while other first-place finishers for the Scots included sophomore Curtis Wolfe in the 50 freestyle (22.70), and first-year Austin Carter in the 100 backstroke (58.67). Also noteworthy, senior Jason Maines finished a strong second in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.06).

For the Scot women, senior diver Sara Connolly posted her second national-qualifying performance on the one-meter board with a winning score of 248.50 against the Battling Bishops.

"Sara has been very consistent this year, and is mentally stronger than last year," stated Wooster diving coach Rich Blough. "She has pushed herself to get where she has, and she's done very well."

To go along with Connolly’s win, the Scot women’s swimmers won 10 out of the 11 events. Senior Beth Starling, a tri-captain along with Connolly and classmate Lori Mitskavich, won the 100 breaststroke (1:09.84) and was runner-up in the 100 butterfly (1:03.46). Mitskavich had a second-place showing in the 500 freestyle (5:30.75) on Saturday.

Wooster’s top performers, though, were junior Jody Bray, who came in first in both the 500 and 1000 freestyles with times of 5:24.50 and 11:08.15, respectively, and freshman Liz Whittam, who notched wins in the 100 backstroke (1:02.99) and 200 freestyle (1:58.06). Rounding out the Scots’ winners were junior Jenny Bayuk in the 200 individual medley (2:17.05), freshman Sophie Brym in the 100 freestyle (55.26), and sophomore Kayla Heising in the 50 freestyle (24.99).

Despite his personal milestone, Beckett modestly focused on his teams’ showings afterwards.

"This was an important meet for both teams, and I am very pleased with their performances today," he said. "It was a great last home meet for the seniors."