Kenyon Men Sweep Miami and Oberlin, Ladies Beat Oberlin but Fall to Miami
GAMBIER, OH., January 18 – A long day of swimming and diving resulted in three Kenyon College victories here today, as the Lords and Ladies — defending NCAA Divison III champs — hosted teams from Miami (Ohio) University and Oberlin College.
The Lords pulled off the sweep by topping Division I Miami, 156-132, and besting conference rival Oberlin, 110-81. The Ladies also defeated Oberlin, 119-81, but fell to the Red Hawks of Miami, 190-104.
The meets were the last two home events for Kenyon and for the combined 18 seniors on the teams' rosters. The wins left the Lords with a dual meet record of 6-1 this season, while the split put the Ladies' dual meet record at 4-4 as they get ready for the North Coast Conference Championships in a month, followed by the defense of their national-collegiate crowns in mid-Mach at Atlanta.
Against Miami, the Lords won 10 of the 16 events, including both relays. Senior Carlos Vega came up big as he captured wins in the 100 (50.44) and the 200 butterflys (1:51.22).
Other KC individual wins came from Elliott Rushton in the 1000 freestyle (9:49.65), Marc Courtney-Brooks in the 200 freestyle (1:47.49), Leandro Monteiro in the 100 backstroke (52.26), Daniel Kiepfer in the 100 breaststroke (59.44), Andrejs Duda in the 50 freestyle (21.19) and Travis Brennion in the 200 backstroke (1:59.80).
Duda, Courtney-Brooks and Monteiro then joined Read Boon to win both the 200 medley relay (1:34.15) and 200 freestyle relay (1:24.28).
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In women's competition, junior Beth Galloway stole the show. Although they weren't her top times of the season, Galloway reinforced her previous automatic qualifying times for NCAAs while winning both the 50 freestyle (24.03) and 100 backstroke (58.67). She also teamed up with Betsy Garratt, Erinn Hurley and Agnese Ozolina to take gold in the 200 medley relay (1:49.36).
The only other win for Kenyon against Miami came from Rachel Smith who placed first in the 200 freestyle (1:55.84).
The women turned things around against Oberlin as they won nine events, including a pair of victories from senior Quinn Hoffman in the 1-meter and 3-meter diving competitions.
Also posting wins for the Ladies against Oberlin were Carly Chornobil in the 1,000 freestyle (11:14.53), Annie Racek in the 400 individual medley and the 200 butterfly (2:16.76), Chauncy Arnold in the 200 freestyle (2:07.99), Marissa Stearns in the 50 free (26.41) and finally Mandy Cole in the 100 free (58.43).
On the men's side, sophomore Will Wakefield stood out above the rest against Oberlin. He grabbed first place finishes in the 200 freestyle (1:50.70), the 400 individual medley (4:28.38) and 200 butterfly (2:08.28). Wakefield accounted for 27 points and helped the Lords win eight of eleven events.
Also touching the wall first for the Lords were David Gold in the 1000 freestyle (10:08.53), Paul Kaminsky in the 50 (22.42), Thomas Ashby in the 100 (49.84) and Justin Karpinos in the 200 backstroke (2:01.38).
Karpinos and Ashby also teamed with Jim Bell and Joe Strike early in the meet to win the 400 medley relay (3:47.46).
Both Kenyon teams are deep, experienced and eager to defend their championships, according to No. 1 Lord and head coach Jim Steen.