Scot Men Sweep Opening Two Duals, While Women Split

Kyle Oaks

The College of Wooster men’s swimming and diving team kicked off the dual season this weekend (Oct. 27-28) by easily sweeping past host Mt. Union College 163-74 Friday night and then visiting Wittenberg University 148-93, while the Fighting Scot women triumphed over the Purple Raiders 183-53 but dropped a 138-105 decision to the rival Tigers.

Noteworthy, the Wittenberg-Wooster meet was moved to Wooster High School due to a campus-wide power outage Saturday afternoon.

The Scots’ men’s squad won 10 of the 13 events against each opponent, led by multiple individual winners Eric Babbitt, Logan LaBerge, and Kyle Oaks. Babbitt finished first in both the 1000 freestyle (10:09.67) and 200 butterfly (1:59.51) against Wittenberg as well as the 200 free (1:50.67) at Mt. Union. LaBerge was equally impressive, taking top honors in the 500 free (5:25.68) Friday and then bouncing back for victories in the 200 free (1:52.42) and the 200 back (2:06.16) versus the Tigers. Both of Oaks’ wins came against Wittenberg in the sprint freestyles, as he swam a 22.57 in the 50 and a 49.84 in the 100.

Additional first-place performances in the pool from the Wooster men came from Brandon DuGar in the 50 free (22.99), Ted Polley in the 1000 free (11:26.22), Michael Saltzman in the 100 backstroke (1:00.05), and Mateo Chinchilla in the 100 breast (1:06.40) versus the Purple Raiders, and Andrew Olson in the 200 breast (2:20.17) and Ryan Radtke in the 200 IM (2:05.04) during the Wittenberg meet.

The Scot women were even more dominant as their male counterparts at Mt. Union Friday, winning all but one event. Amanda Bailey and Molly Bittner led the way, as each was a double-winner. Bailey touched the wall first in the 100 free (58.15) and 200 IM (2:22.41), while Bittner did so in the 200 free (2:04.97) and 100 fly (1:02.74). Also posting first-place efforts were Kathryn Lehner in the 1000 free (12:03.65), Kate Koswnick in the 100 back (1:04.09), Kristine Mann in the 500 free (5:38.14), and Linsdsey Dorko in the 100 breast (1:12.95).

On Saturday, reigning All-American Meggie Edwards was one of the bright spots for Wooster with wins in both the 50 free (25.43) and 200 back (2:15.19). Dorko picked up her second victory of the weekend, taking first in the 200 IM (2:18.52).

Wooster continues dual-meet action next Saturday at Millikin University in Illinois.