Elsah, IL – The Principia College men's swim team was back in action this week and wrapped up their regular season with a dual versus Illinois College. The men were not quite at full strength yet but had most of the team in action. While the men lost the meet, 52-88, they all swam well and are excited to build toward the final meet of the year. The team took time at the beginning of the meet to recognize and thank the seniors for all they have done for the team over the years and to wish them well.
Captain
Thomas Rauschenberger has been a strong and fun presence on the team for the past 4 years. His 2 years of being captain have come at a challenging time for the team but he led them with purpose and desire.
Emmett Wainwright has been a quiet yet fun presence on the team for the past 4 years. His work ethic and determination have been strong examples for the team. His penchant for subtle pranks have kept his teammates on their toes and brought laughs to the team.
Tyler Williams has only been on the team 2 years but has fit right in both in the water and on deck. His calm relaxed demeanor and quick smile has benefited the team greatly especially during the past two challenging seasons. We will miss them all.
The meet started with a mixed gender 200 Medley relay. Junior captain Camillie Abadie led off with a 31.76 backstroke split. Freshman
Wyatt Shipp then split a 32.77 breaststroke leg with senior captain Thomas Rauschenbeger splitting a 26.76 50 Fly to hand it off to freshman Avery Hanson. Hanson finished the deal with a 27.43 free relay split to take the team to a 2
nd place finish in 1:58.72.
Wainwright won the 200 IM with a new in-season lifetime best time of 2:19.80. Shipp added a season best time in his 100 Breast with a 1:16.03. In the 50 Free, Rauschenberger added another season best for the men with a 23.67 and a second place finish.
Rauschenberger started off the second half of the meet with a win in the 100 Free in 54.67. Wainwright won the next event – the 200 Back – with a new in-season lifetime best of 2:13.21. Rauschenberger added another season best with a 1:00.23 in his 100 Fly and Wainwright topped off the meet with a new season best in his 400 IM with a 5:04.66.
The meet wrapped up with mixed gender 200 Free relay where senior Sanaya Baldauf, sophomores Kannon Gill, and Kassie Christensen and Wainwright swam a 1:59.35.
The men will be back to full strength this coming week as they head down the stretch and everyone starts their taper.
The men will wrap up their season with the Liberal Arts Championships which they will host starting on Wednesday, Feb 9 and running through Saturday, Feb 12. Morning sessions will start at 10a, while evening sessions will start at 530p. They will be welcoming 6 other teams to their home pool for 3 ½ days of fast swimming. The team will be primed and ready to swim fast and finish their season on a high.
