The Gustavus men’s swimming and diving team fell 168-137 to St. Thomas, yet defeated Hamline 240-38 in Saturday’s double-dual held in the Lund Natatorium in St. Peter, Minn. Whitaker Davis and Billy Schultze were the top Gusties swimmers at the meet, recording three individual event wins each. The Gusties registered 10 individual event wins on the day.
“It was good to be back in the pool and race against somebody who is not your teammate for a change. I think that both the men and women were itching for a chance to get out and compete today,” said Head Coach Jon Carlson. “It was a good step in the right direction for out team in the new year.”
Whitaker Davis had another outstanding meet with wins in the 200 freestyle, 200 butterfly, and 500 free. Davis touched the wall in 1:44.86 in the 200 free, 2:01.58 in the 200 butterfly, and 4:54.34 in the 500. Schultze contributed his best performance of the season with first place finishes in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, and 200 IM. Schultze won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:00.24, 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:11.45, and the 200 IM with a time of 2:00.75.
Paul Kirihara dominated the backstroke races with a two wins in the 100 (54.46) and 200 (2:00.26). John Rice recorded Gustavus’ final event win by taking the 1000 free in 10:19.45. He also placed third in the 500 free.
Other top Gustavus performers included Matt Van Fossen, Wes Jones, Ben Stewart, and Sam DeFranco. Van Fossen finished runner up in the 100 butterfly with a time of 54.17. Jones (1000 free), Stewart (200 free), and DeFranco (50 free) all took third place in their respected races.
The Gustavus 800-free relay team of Rice, Stewart, Craig Nordquist, and Davis took first place with a time of 7:18.46. Kirihara, Scultze, Van Fossen and DeFranco teamed up to place second in the 200 medley relay (1:37.97).
“I am really proud of how the men competed today. Going into the meet, there were not a lot of people that would have given them a shot, but when they saw that they were in it, the team banned together and put out a great effort,” said Head Coach Jon Carlson. “We got hurt in diving, but our the leadership on the team shined through and we battled until the end.”
The Gustavus swimming and diving team will be back in the pool on Friday, Jan 14 in at dual meet against Carleton beginning at 5:00 p.m. in Northfield.