Men’s swimming and diving team finishes in fourth-place at Washington University Thanksgiving Invitational

The Olivet College men's swimming and diving team finished in fourth-place (out of seven schools) at the 2008 Washington University Thanksgiving Invitational held Nov. 22-23 at the Millstone Pool in St. Louis, Mo. Missouri University of Science and Technology captured the team championship with 934 points, followed by the host Bears (717), Lindenwood University (605) and Olivet (527). Albion College and Ohio Wesleyan University tied for fifth-place with 287 points each.

In a field of very tough competition, the Comets had 27 Top 10 finishes. The lone individual winner was senior Shawn Bergman (Chelsea) on the three-meter diving board with 480.50 points. He placed fourth on the one-meter board with 383.35 points.

Sophomore Kellen Beckwith (Farmington Hills/North Farmington) was fifth in the 100 backstroke (:54.67) and ninth in the 200 backstroke (2:04.38). Freshman Marshall Bouwman (Zeeland) finished seventh in the 1,650 freestyle (17:36.77) Freshman Michael Conger (Plymouth) was seventh in three events: 500 freestyle (4:52.56), 200 individual medley (2:04.35) and 400 individual medley (4:29.67).

Senior Steven Davis (Davidsville, Md./DeMatha) took fourth-place in the 1,650 freestyle (17:05.51), sixth-place in the 500 freestyle (4:50.31) and 10th in the 200 freestyle (1:49.31). In the sprint freestyle events, sophomore Mike Harden (St. Johns) placed sixth in the 50 (:22.29) and eighth in the 100 (1:52.54). Senior Brian Johnson (Lansing/Eastern) was 10th in the 200 butterfly (2:10.72).

Sophomore Rick Kinsey (Chelsea) finished fifth in the 1,650 freestyle (17:26.39) and 10th in the 500 freestyle (4:57.63). Sophomore Rafe Maxwell (Bay City/Western) touched the wall third in the 100 butterfly (:52.67), fifth in the 200 butterfly (1:58.76) and sixth in the 200 individual medley (2:03.28).

Freshman Austin Munn (Pinckney) posted a pair of top 10 finishes – ninth in the 100 freestyle (:49.60) and 10th in the 50 freestyle (:22.73). Senior Andrew Wasson (Grand Ledge) placed third on the one-meter board (396.60 points) and fourth on the three-meter board (382.45 points).

Olivet's 400 freestyle relay team of Beckwith, Harden, Maxwell and Munn clocked-in at 3:16.54 to finish in third-place. The 200 freestyle relay team of Beckwith, Harden, Munn and freshman Jon Bachman (Battle Creek/Lakeview) was also third in 1:28.15.

The quartet of Beckwith, sophomore Zach McMunigal (Grand Blanc/Flint Powers Catholic), Maxwell and Munn was fourth in the 400 medley relay (3:41.17). Beckwith, McMunigal, Maxwell and Bachman finished fourth in the 200 medley relay (1:41.13).

Olivet is now idle until Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, when it resumes Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association dual meet action with a dual meet at Alma College at 1 p.m.