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 dives 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 women swimmers of the team did a great job at putting a lot of effort in their races. Kendall McMurray (FR) helped the 200 medley relay swim well with her seasonal best time of 36.47 for the 50 back portion of the relay. Mak Thompson (SO) was part of this relay too and had an amazing split of 27.46. Her split was a seasonal, unshaved lifetime, and lifetime best split. Jenna Mehlenbacher (SO) did well in her first individual race of the day, the 200 free. She had a great start to the race but with a time of 2:11.48, ended up placing second. Thompson had an excellent 200 free too. Her time of 2:17.56 was a seasonal, unshaved lifetime, and lifetime best. Meghan Vivian (FR) improved her time again in the 50 free. She has being progressing her 50 free time every meet this season. Her time of 28.89 was a seasonal best as a result. McMurray also got a seasonal best in the 50 free with 32.40. Vivian got back in the water for the 100 breast. She has been working hard on improving her breaststroke and it paid off during the 100 breast. She got a season best time of 1:26.55. The Principia women ended the meet well and had great swims throughout.
The result of 32 points to 164 points was a disappointment only for a moment in our women swimmers' 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.
