O'FALLON, ILL. —The Men's Swimming team traveled an hour away from home in order to compete in the McKendree Invite. There were three schools that attended the invite, which were McKendree, UMSL, and Principia. Both of the schools that Principia raced were D2 schools, so it was tough competition for the team. While PC lost to both teams, they swam well, earning a few bests.
The meet began with the 200 Medley Relay where freshman
Josh Williams (33.56), sophomore
Liam Anderson (31.73), junior captain
Garrett Barner (26.91), and sophomore
Walker Hannigan (24.31) swam the race with a time of 1:56.51. During that race Williams achieved a season best in his 50 Back.
As the meet continued, junior captain
Andrew Boyd swam the 200 Free for a great time of 2:07.97. This earned a season, unshaved lifetime, and lifetime best for this swim. With the first individual race starting the team off strong, they moved to the next event—100 Backstroke. This race went well. Williams swam the race with a time of 1:11.72 and Hannigan with 1:03.45. Hannigan doesn't usually swim this race; however, today he got a season, unshaved lifetime, and lifetime best for the time achieved. Soon after the 100 Back, Anderson (1:10.81) and Barner (1:13.12) stepped up for the 100 Breaststroke. This isn't Barner's usual race, but with this time he was able to secure an unshaved lifetime and lifetime best. As they waited for the 200 Fly to end the team started to prepare for the 50 Freestyle. Both Hannigan (24.74) and Williams (27.36) swam the race, which were strong swims, but not their bests.
After a 15 minute long break, PC was gearing to go with the 100 Freestyle. Boyd and Barner swam the race with times of 53.96 and 55.97. Williams then jumped in to swim the 200 Back for the first time. His time was a 2:35.79. After the 200 Back, the 200 Breast was up. Anderson has been training for this event, so this event was in preparation for upcoming meets. He swam the race with a time of 2:42.94.
As the meet carried on, the teams moved on to the next race, which was the 500 Freestyle. Boyd swam this race for the second time this season getting a time of 6:14.78. He raced it before during the Blue and Gold meet at the beginning of the season. With this time he achieved a season, unshaved lifetime, and lifetime best. Hannigan stepped up on the block after to swim the 100 Fly where he came into the wall with a time of 59.14.
There was another short break at this time before the 200 IMs began. When the break was over, Anderson and Barner both participated in this race, which isn't a usual race for them both. Both did well, with Anderson getting a time of 2:30.28 and Barner a time of 2:26.23. Anderson earned a season, unshaved lifetime, and lifetime best with this race!
As the meet was coming to an end, the 200 Freestyle Relay wrapped up the swims for the day. Boyd (24.09), Williams (26.81), Barner (24.83), and Hannigan (24.02) swam a strong race!
It was a meet with tough competition, but the team responded with some great performances.
Up Next:
The Men's Swimming team will be at home on January 26
th for a dual meet against Hendrix and Williams Baptist College at 6pm. On the following day, January 27
th, Principia will be holding the Panther Invite at 1pm as well.
