Swimming and diving teams sweep Alma

The Olivet College men's and women's swimming and diving teams swept dual meets against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Alma College Saturday at the McClure Natatorium in Alma. The men defeated the Scots, 148-113, while the women by a 159-93 score.

The Olivet men had the fastest time or highest score in 12 events. Senior Steven Davis (Davidsville, Md./DeMatha) recorded the quickest time in the 200 butterfly (2:01.77) and 400 individual medley (4:26.11). Sophomore Rafe Maxwell (Bay City/Western) was also a double winner, as he touched the wall in the 200 freestyle (1:50.82) and 100 butterfly (:53.68).

The rest of the fastest times were turned in by sophomore Kellen Beckwith (Farmington Hills/North Farmington) in the 200 backstroke (1:59.92), freshman Marshall Bouwman (Zeeland) in the 500 freestyle (5:10.74), sophomore Mike Harden (St. Johns) in the 50 freestyle (:22.49), sophomore Rick Kinsey (Chelsea) in the 1,000 freestyle (10:30.71) and freshman Matt Marquette (Kalamazoo/Loy Norrix) in the 200 breaststroke (2:34.48). Senior Shawn Bergman (Chelsea) had the highest score in the three-meter diving (270.95 points).

Both Comet relays also recorded the top times. The 200 medley relay team of Beckwith, Harden, Maxwell and senior Brad Voss (Lansing/Holt) clocked-in at 1:41.12. The 400 freestyle relay quartet of Beckwith, Voss, freshman Austin Munn (Pinckney) and Harden finished the race in 3:19.27.

The Olivet women also recorded the fastest time or top score in 12 events. Sophomore Jami Lingbeek (Plainwell) turned in the top time in the 200 butterfly (2:32.47) and 200 backstroke (2:23.13). Junior Jackie Taylor (Plainwell) was first in the 100 backstroke (1:04.71) and 100 freestyle (:58.12).

Senior Amy Johnson (Gaylord) swam to a first-place finish in the 200 freestyle (2:00.69) along with swimming the anchor leg of the winning 200 medley relay and the leadoff leg of the winning 400 freestyle relay.

Joining Johnson on the 200 medley relay were seniors Kalee Redder (Grandville/Jenison), Erin Tramper (Jenison) and Heather Michalsen (Plymouth/Salem) and their time was 1:58.77. The 400 freestyle relay team consisted of Johnson, freshman Emily LaPorta (Hamilton), Taylor and Redder, and it clocked in at 3:48.83.

The remaining top time performances were by senior Lisa Egelkraut (Battle Creek/Central) in the 500 freestyle (5:31.48), freshman Jessica Howard (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) in the 1,000 freestyle (11:31.24), Redder in the 50 freestyle (:26.37) and Tramper in the 200 breaststroke (2:41.21). Freshman Megan Waschak (Battle Creek/Central) had the highest score in the one-meter diving (238.30 points).

The Comets are back in action next Saturday, Jan. 24, when they welcome MIAA-rival Albion College to the Upton Center Pool for a 1 p.m. dual meet.