By Jason Marsteller
SAINT PETER, Minnesota, November 10. IN a Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest, St. Olaf and Gustavus Adolphus didn't disappoint in a SwimmingWorldMagazine.com Meet of the Week. The St. Olaf men scored a 157.5-142.5 victory over Gustavus Adolphus, while the tide turned in the women's meet with Gustavus Adolphus emerging triumphant in a hotly-contested 152-148 tilt.
Although the women had a much closer score, as evidenced by eight titles apiece for each squad, the most exciting finish came from the men's side. Going into the 400 freestyle relay, St. Olaf had a strong lead with nine titles against Gustavus Adophus' six. However, The Gusties did not succumb as its team of Whitaker Davis, Connor Ziegler, Billy Cuevas and Matt Stewart tied STO's Kyle Biesecker, Brock Edwards, Jake Koch and Luke Murrell for the final title on offer with matching 3:13.81s.
Nelson Westby led STO with four titles. On top of winning the 100 fly with a B-cut time of 50.96, he also touched first in the 50 free (21.52) and the 200 IM (1:57.43) as well as helped the 200 medley relay of Adam Meyer, Nate Bentley, Westby and Brock Edwards win in 1:36.92.
Meyer also made an impact with a pair of individual wins as he swept the backstrokes 100 (53.29) and 200 (1:57.55). Bentley threw in a 100 breast (1:01.63) win for good measure, while Ryan Trostrud (3m – 184.65) and Jacob Reinhart (200 breast – 2:14.68) also won titles.
Stewart easily led the pack of Gusties with two individual titles to add to his 400 free relay tie. He stopped the clock first in the 100 (47.42) and 200 (1:44.35) freestyles to finish with three crowns.
Other individual winners for Gustavus Adolphus included Skylar Davis (1000 free – 9:46.34), Connor Ziegler (200 fly – 1:58.99), Whitaker Davis (500 free – 4:43.55) and Mark Larson (1m – 191.25).
On the women's side of the equation, Carrie Gunderson paced the Gusties with four titles of her own. First, she won individual gold in the 100 (56.26), 500 (5:24.02) and 1000 (10:55.63) frees, while also leading off the triumphant 400 free relay of Gunderson, Jonna Berry, Christi O'Conner and Janae Piehl that won in 3:45.09.
Emma Espel picked up a pair of victories with wins in the 50 free (25.84) and 100 fly (1:02.77), while Sarah Koepp (100 breast – 1:08.99) and Anika Erickson (200 breast – 2:30.20) also won titles.
Alli Beardsley clearly led St. Olaf's with a title trifecta. She swept the backstrokes with wins in the 100 (1:02.09) and 200 (2:14.66), while also touching first in the 200 IM (2:18.51).
Alyssa Germeroth swept the diving titles with top tallies in the 1m (220.65) and 3m (221.60), while Christina Roberts (200 free – 2:02.60) and Jen Marzolf (200 fly – 2:18.86) each earned individual crowns. Amanda Rorem, Kjersten Grinde, Aleta Kolen and Jessie Gibbons also claimed the 200 medley relay title in 1:54.90.
"Once again it was an exciting and close meet," said Gustavus Adolphus head coach Jon Carlson. "Even though both teams fought hard to the finish, it was refreshing to shake hands at the end knowing that we brought out the best in each other. Virtually every race was a battle to the finish and the crowd was so involved in the meet. It was the most exciting night of swimming that we have had at Gustavus in many years."
Final Scores:
Men: St. Olaf 157.5, Gustavus Adolphus 142.5
Women: Gustavus Adolphus 152, St. Olaf 148
Event Winners:
Men:
Gustavus Adolphus:
1000 freestyle: Skylar Davis (9:46.34)
200 freestyle: Matt Stewart (1:44.35)
200 butterfly: Connor Ziegler (1:58.99)
100 freestyle: Matt Stewart (47.42)
500 freestyle: Whitaker Davis (4:43.55)
1m: Mark Larson (191.25)
400 freestyle relay: Whitaker Davis, Connor Ziegler, Billy Cuevas, Matt Stewart; 3:13.81
St. Olaf:
200 medley relay: Adam Meyer, Nate Bentley, Nelson Westby, Brock Edwards; 1:36.92
100 backstroke: Adam Meyer (53.29)
100 breaststroke: Nate Bentley (1:01.63)
50 freestyle: Nelson Westby (21.52)
3m: Ryan Trostrud (184.65)
200 backstroke: Adam Meyer (1:57.55)
200 breaststroke: Jacob Reinhart (2:14.68)
100 butterfly: Nelson Westby (50.96)
200 IM: Nelson Westby (1:57.43)
400 freestyle relay: Kyle Biesecker, Brock Edwards, Jake Koch, Luke Murrell; 3:13.81
Women:
Gustavus Adolphus:
1000 freestyle: Carrie Gunderson (10:55.63)
100 breaststroke: Sarah Koepp (1:08.99)
50 freestyle: Emma Espel (25.84)
100 freestyle: Carrie Gunderson (56.26)
200 breaststroke: Anika Erickson (2:30.20)
500 freestyle: Carrie Gunderson (5:24.02)
100 butterfly: Emma Espel (1:02.77)
400 freestyle relay: Carrie Gunderson, Jonna Berry, Christi O'Conner, Janae Piehl; 3:45.09
St. Olaf:
200 medley relay: Amanda Rorem, Kjersten Grinde, Aleta Kolen, Jessie Gibbons; 1:54.90
200 freestyle: Christina Roberts (2:02.60)
100 backstroke: Alli Beardsley (1:02.09)
200 butterfly: Jen Marzolf (2:18.86)
1m: Alyssa Germeroth (220.65)
200 backstroke: Alli Beardsley (2:14.66)
3m: Alyssa Germeroth (221.60)
200 IM: Alli Beardsley (2:18.51)
NCAA Cuts
St. Olaf:
B:
Men:
100 butterfly: Nelson Westby (50.96)
