Results
Williamsport, PA - Messiah College men's and women's swimming battled hard with the Lycoming College Warriors on Saturday, with the women earning a 156.5-105.5 advantage. The men lost by a similar score, 156-105.
"We had several record best times and numerous multi-event winners today," head coach
Nancy Luley said. "The entire team is swimming really well right now. We've hit a ton of MAC qualifying times, which bodes well for post-season."
The depth of the women's side was evident as they won 9 of 12 individual events and were fastest in both relays. Four different Falcons won multiple individual events with senior
Katelynn Sagaser leading the way with three.
Sagaser was best in the 200-yard backstroke (2:15.21) and 200-yard individual medley (2:18.60), but was most impressive in the 200-yard butterfly. Sagaser obliterated her previous school record of 2:17.27 from earlier this season by more than five seconds. The new record time stands at 2:12.88.
Junior
Hanna Schaffer dominated the short distance freestyle events, winning the 50-yard freestyle (:25.67) and 100-yard freestyle (:57.45). She also anchored the winning 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay.
Other multi-event wins came from senior
Lauren Clune in the 1000-yard freestyle (11:16.48) and 500-yard freestyle (5:31.46). Freshman
Anna McArdle also took the top spot in two events, winning the 200-freestyle (2:05.14) and out-touching her closest opponent by only :00.39 in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:37.61).
"This was a huge confidence builder for the women," Luley said. "Our upperclassmen have been very consistent and our underclassmen have come along nicely. We should make quite a statement at MAC's this year."
On the men's side, the score may not have gone in the Falcons's favor, but their effort kept them in the mix for most of the meet.
"We had so many close races on the men's side," Luley said. "Their hard work is paying off and I'm really proud of them."
Freshman
Aaron Eckman led the distance swimmers for the Falcons with wins in the 1000-yard freestyle (10:42.59) and 500-yard freestyle (5:14.17). Junior
Daniel Wingert also won two events taking the 100-yard (1:03.26) and 200-yard (2:19.02) breaststroke.
Like his sister Katelynn, sophomore
Luke Sagaser set a new school record against Lycoming. In the 200-yard backstroke, Sagaser broke his previous record of 2:07.86 (set at the MAC Championships on February 12, 2012) with a new time of 2:07.64.
Other notable swims came from junior
Nate Brown in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle. Brown grabbed two second place finishes in both events with times of :22.69 and :51.30, respectively.
The Falcons will now take their long holiday break and return to the pool in the new year. Their next meet will take place on January 12th against host King's College and Arcadia University. The meet is set to begin at 12:00 p.m.
