ELSAH, ILL. – Illinois Wesleyan had a larger team and as a result scored better in the meet overall, but our team did well too. We won some firsts, swam fifteen season bests, five unshaved lifetime bests, and even four lifetime bests. Lifetime bests are a good indicator that our swimmers or divers are doing very well because a life time best is their greatest time or score of their collegiate swimming or diving career. The team had a lot of energy and was supportive of each other at this meet.
The men of Principia Swimming and diving started off well with the 200 Medley relay. Brent Bennett (FR) helped the relay team of Zach Harmon (SO), Andy Furbush (SO), and Colin Clark (SR) get 1:54.42 with his seasonal best time 29.95. Senior Captain Will Crowley won first place in the 50 free with a time of 23.03. Another first place was won by Tyler Loechner (SO) in the 200 IM with an unshaved lifetime and lifetime best time of 2:06.88. Furbush also did well in this event, getting an unshaved lifetime and seasonal best time of 2:07.45. Matt Poulos (SR) scored well for the team too, winning firstst place in the 1 meter and 3 meter diving. He also got a seasonal best score of 149.35 in 1 meter diving. In the 100 free, Crowley won another first place with the time of 49.90. During the 100 back, Loechner won the race and got a seasonal and unshaved lifetime best time of 56.40. Clark swam this race too, getting a seasonal best with 1:00.48. The men of the Principia swim team ended the meet well by getting a seasonal best time of 1:31.98 in the 200 Free Relay. Loechner, with a seasonal and unshaved lifetime best split of 22.60, and Crowley, with seasonal best split of 22.11, helped the relay team receive their seasonal best time.
The result of 72 points to 109 points was a disappointment only for a moment in our men swimmers' and diver's minds because they knew they tried more than their best. Many went back to homework with proud smiles on their faces. They will be back to try for more seasonal bests this next Friday (1/14/11) and Saturday (1/15/11) at Washington University in St. Louis. Come and support. Thank you for taking the time to read this write-up and supporting Principia College swimming and diving.
