This past weekend was a tough one for the Gannon University men and women’s swim teams, but there were still a few bright spots for both squads.
On Friday, the women took a loss against Edinboro, 178-135, while the men claimed another victory, 134-83. However, both teams suffered tough losses at Grove City Saturday, with the women falling, 171-121, and the men dropping a 166-127 decision.
Against Edinboro, the men had six first-place finishes.
Thomas Marshall was the only team member to claim multiple individual victories, as he took first in both the 200-yard freestyle (1 minute, 46.95 seconds) and the 500 freestyle (5:00.70).
Clark Eason won the 50 freestyle (22.16) while Bryce Ebel took first in the 1,000 freestyle (10:12.50). Allan Collins took first in the 200 IM (2:02.00) and Ryan Garich took first overall in the one-meter diving with a score of 190.75.
The men’s 200 freestyle relay team of Michael Weiser, Luke Engel, Collins and Eason also won its event, finishing with a time of 1:27.09. The Knights’ 200 medley relay squad consisting of Collins, Eason, Engel and Eric Booth claimed a win with a time of 1:38.31.
In the women’s meet, Silvija Taraska took home first place in the 200 freestyle (1:59.35), Meghan Terwilliger took first in the 100 butterfly (1:01.04) and Lauren Clifford won the 1-meter diving competition with a score of 226.25.
Clifford has won the 1-meter diving event five times so far this year.
Against Grove City, Taraska again had a solid meet, as she won both the 50 freestyle (25.22) and the 100 freestyle (54.95) in addition to taking part in the victorious 200 freestyle relay with Ashley Rega, Celia Kottakis and Samantha Favret.
Favret also took first in the 100 backstroke (1:01.53).
The men’s team’s loss to Grove City was just its second defeat of the season.
Eason won the 50 freestyle (21.78), Marshall took first in the 100 freestyle (48.60), Engel captured the 100 butterfly event (53.60) and Cole Davis finished first in the 200 butterfly (1:59.60).
The men also took first in the 200 freestyle relay, with the quartet of Weiser, Engel, Collins and Eason finishing with a time of 1:26.29.
Both teams will return to action at 5 p.m. Friday against Canisius College at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion Pool.
The event also can be streamed live on the Gannon athletic website at www.gannonsports.com by clicking the link for men or women’s swimming and diving and then going to their schedules.
Friday’s meet will be the final dual meet of the season, as the men’s and women’s teams will take time off to prepare for the PSAC Championships, which are scheduled to get underway Feb. 21 in York.
NICHOLAS SORENSEN
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