Men’s swimming team defeats Albion, 137-118

ALBION, Mich. – The Olivet College men's swimming team posted the fastest time in 12 events, and defeated Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Albion College, 137-118, today at the Dean Aquatic Center in Albion.

Olivet got off to a quick start by going 1-2 in the 200 medley relay. The "A" team of freshman Brandon McShane (Southgate/Anderson), freshman Phil Bielak (Brownstown/Woodhaven), sophomore Brian Fiorillo (Southgate/Anderson) and freshman Jimmy DeRupa (Trenton) won in 1:42.63. The "B" team of senior Mike Harden (St. Johns), freshman Georges Aoun (Barquisimeto, Venezuela/Unidad Educativa Colegio), freshman Phil Barone, Jr. (Perrysburg, Ohio/St. Francis de Sales) and junior Nick Edgar (Lansing/Everett) was right behind them in 1:43.37.

Sophomore Brad Ardelean (Owosso) then took first-place in the 500 freestyle with a time of 11:14.77. Sophomore Ben Aldrich (DeWitt/St. Johns) led a 1-2-3 Olivet finish in the 200 freestyle. He stopped the clock at 1:52.00, followed by Aoun in 1:55.24 and sophomore Tyler Russell (Bay City/Central) in 1:56.61.

The Comets then had the three fastest times in the 100 backstroke, as junior Brock Jackson (Sturgis) was quickest in 55.85 seconds, followed by junior Joel Knight (Battle Creek/Lakeview) and Harden in :58.98 and :59.04, respectively.

Olivet posted the three fastest times in the 200 butterfly. Freshman Alec Thurston (Kingsford) led the way in 2:11.57, while Barone, Jr. and McShane tied for second in 2:12.68.

The 50 freestyle also saw the Comets finish with the top three times. Junior Josh Mauk (Battle Creek/Lakeview) was first in 22.79 seconds, followed by DeRupa in :23.31 and Bielak in :23.87. Mauk also recorded the quickest time in the 100 freestyle in 50.92 seconds.

Like the 100 backstroke, Olivet went 1-2-3 in the 200 backstroke. Sophomore Korey Mervenne (Jenison) was fastest in 2:03.97. Jackson was next in 2:08.57, followed by Knight in 2:11.69. Bielak recorded the fastest time in the 200 breaststroke at 2:19.00.

The Comets placed 1-2-3 in the 500 freestyle. McShane won in 5:10.46, while Aldrich was second in 5:10.47, and senior Austin Munn (Pinckney) was third in 5:27.79. Edgar finished in first-place in the 100 butterfly with a time of 56.84 seconds.

In the final event, the 200 freestyle relay, Olivet's four relays had the four fastest times. The "A" team of Mauk, Russell, DeRupa and Bielak was quickest in 1:32.44.

The Comets are back in action Friday-Saturday, Dec. 2-3, when they travel to Kenosha, Wis., to compete in the TYR/CollegeSwimming.com Classic at Carthage College.