Swimming and diving teams open MIAA schedule with losses at Kalamazoo

The Olivet College men's and women's swimming and diving teams opened the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) portion of their schedules with losses today at Kalamazoo College. The women lost to the Hornets, 166.5-130.5, while the men fell, 179-115.

The Comet women tallied five first-place finishes and nine second-places. Junior Jackie Taylor (Plainwell) swept the backstroke events, winning the 100 in 1:03.18 and the 200 in 2:17.28. Senior Erin Tramper (Jenison) took first in both breaststroke events, winning the 100 in 1:13.99 and 200 in 2:38.52. The other winner was senior Kelly Schulze (Kalamazoo/Central) in the 100 freestyle with a time of 57.45 seconds.

Senior Kalee Redder (Jenison) tied for second in the 200 freestyle (2:04.01) and was second in the 200 individual medley (2:23.59). Freshman Jessica Howard (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) placed second in the distance freestyle events: 11:22.22 in the 1,000 and 5:30.22 in the 500.

Freshman Caitlin Lohr (Holland/Hamilton) was the runner-up finisher in the 50 freestyle by .04 seconds at 26.21 seconds. Senior Lauren Siedlik (Livonia/Churchill) was second in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.92). Freshman Megan Waschak (Battle Creek) took second on both diving boards, scoring 231.05 points on the one-meter and 215.90 points on the three-meter.

The 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays each took second. The 200 medley relay quintet of Taylor, Siedlik, Lohr and Redder finished in 1:56.90. The 400 freestyle relay team of Taylor, freshman Emily LaPorta (Hamilton), Lohr and Schulze clocked-in at 3:51.50.

The Olivet men posted four firsts and 10 seconds. Sophomore Rafe Maxwell (Bay City/Western) won the 200 butterfly (1:59.07) and was second in the 100 fly (:53.30). Sophomore Mike Harden (St. Johns) touched the wall first in the 50 freestyle in 22.33 seconds.

In the one-meter diving competition, senior Andrew Wasson (Grand Ledge) finished first on the one-meter (230.00), while senior Shawn Bergman (Chelsea) was second (223.10). The three-meter diving was the reverse with Bergman winning it (266.50) and Wasson taking second (231.00).

Sophomore Kellen Beckwith (Farmington Hills/North Farmington) placed second in both backstroke events with times of :54.44 in the 100 an 2:00.90 in the 200. Senior Steven Davis (Davidsville, Md./DeMatha) was the second-place finisher in the 200 (1:46.89) and 500 (4:51.10) freestyle. Freshman Michael Conger (Plymouth) brought home a runner-up finish in the 200 individual medley (2:04.55).

The 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays was each second. Swimming on the 200 medley relay was Beckwith, sophomore Zach McMunigal (Grand Blanc/Flint Powers Catholic), Maxwell and freshman Austin Munn (Pinckney) and their time was 1:40.65. The 400 freestyle relay team of Harden, Maxwell, Munn and Beckwith finished in 3:17.20.

The Comets are now idle until Friday, Nov. 14, when they host Calvin College at the Upton Center Pool at 6 p.m.