The Gustavus men’s swimming and diving team fell by the score of 191-98 to a formidable St. Cloud State University team on Saturday afternoon in the home-opener in the Lund Natatorium. The Gusties recorded four event wins and 19 top-five performances at the meet.
“We had a lot of great swims today. Both the coaches and athletes are excited for the rest of the season because of how the team swam today,” said Head Coach Jon Carlson. ” St. Cloud is an awesome team and it was fun to go up against a squad of its caliber.”
Individuals leading the Gusties with wins in their respective races were Matt Van Fossen, Billy Schultze, and Ross Larson. Van Fossen won the 100 butterfly with a time of 53.43 and took fifth in the 200 fly in 2:12.46. Billy Schultze also added a win and a fifth place mark, winning the 200 IM with a time of 2:06.73 and placing fifth in the 50 free in 22.56. Larson added the team’s final individual win of the afternoon after touching the wall first in the 500 free with a 5:08.68 mark.
Gustavus’ other victory of the meet came in the 200-free relay. Zac Solis, Zach Nachtsheim, Ben Stewart, and Gunnar Teigen teamed up to win the race after touching in 1:31.02. The 200-medley relay team of Ross Larson, Schultze, Van Fossen, and Kurt Youngdahl added a third place finish (1:39.36).
Gunnar Teigen, Sam Olson-Anstett, and Adam Rosell all recorded a runner-up finish in the meet. Teigen in the 500 free with a time of 5:13.84, Olson-Anstett in the 100 butterfly in 56.29, and Rosell in the 200 IM with a time of 2:11.80.
Other top swims came from Nachtsheim, Stewart, and Steve Manley. Nachtsheim placed third in the 100 butterfly (59.45) and fourth in the 100 backstroke. Stewart went 5:27.00 to finish third in the 500 free, while Manley also placed third in the 200 IM in 2:12.22.
The Gustavus men’s swimming and diving team will be in action next Saturday, Nov. 12 in a dual meet against St. Olaf at 1:00 p.m. in the Lund Natatorium.