Swimming and diving teams fall to Hope

The Olivet College men's and women's swimming and diving teams each fell to Hope College today in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) dual meets at the Dow Center Natatorium in Holland. The Olivet men were defeated by a 159-129 score, while the women lost, 168-125.

Despite the loss, the men had seven first-place finishes. Leading the way was sophomore Kellen Beckwith (Farmington Hills/North Farmington), who recorded a NCAA championships provisional qualifying time of 52.79 seconds in the 100 backstroke. He was second in the 200 backstroke (1:58.95).

Freshman Michael Conger (Plymouth) took first-place in the 200 freestyle (1:51.66). Senior Steven Davis (Davidsville, Md./DeMatha) touched the wall first in the 500 freestyle (4:51.79) and second in the 1,000 freestyle (10:08.58). Sophomore Mike Harden (St. Johns) was first in the 100 freestyle (:49.00) and second in the 50 freestyle (:22.00). Sophomore Rafe Maxwell (Bay City/Western) finished first in the 100 butterfly (:53.05).

Senior Shawn Bergman (Chelsea) took top honors on three-meter diving board (255.20) and was second on the one-meter board (206.10). Senior Andrew Wasson (Grand Ledge) was the reverse of Bergman, first on the one-meter (248.55) and second on the three-meter (217.40).

The women posted five first-place finishes. Senior Amy Johnson (Gaylord) won both sprint freestyle events. She clocked-in at 24.50 seconds in the 50 and 53.68 seconds in the 100. Freshman Jessica Howard (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) captured first-place honors in the 500 freestyle (5:28.94). Freshman Megan Waschak (Battle Creek/Central) finished first on both diving boards. She scored 233.40 points on the three-meter and 238.60 points on the one-meter.

Despite a second-place finish, the team of Johnson, freshman Emily LaPorta (Hamilton), freshman Caitlin Lohr (Holland/Hamilton) and senior Kalee Redder (Grandville/Jenison) broke the school record in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:39.24. The old record was 1:39.25.

Olivet will return to the pool next Saturday, Feb. 7 at the University of Notre Dame. The women will swim a MIAA dual against Saint Mary's (Ind.) College, while the men will compete against the Fighting Irish men.