Senior Class Honored as Swimmers Top CWRU

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO -- A match-up with Case Western Reserve University marked the end of the regular season for the Wittenberg University Tiger men's and women's swim teams. A solid victory for both the men and the women concluded their dual meet seasons with impressive 7-4 records.

In a tightly packed natatorium, the senior class was honored for their achievements as student-athletes over the past four years. Head Coach Bob Rueppel called this class, "the foundation of the program's future successes."

Honored seniors were Theresa Conway, Allison Dingus, Melanie Edsall, Jill Kincaid, Aaron Edsall, Brian Hillman, Jason Hill, Eric Jones and Andy Miller.

The highlight of the competition on the men's side was a sweeping finish in the 500-yard freestyle as Jason Hill, Jon Bradley and Kyle Dunaway took first through third respectively. Hill and Brandon Morris also took first and second in the 1000 freestyle, while Andy Miller came in fourth in the same event.

Aaron Edsall had two first place finishes against the Spartans. He finished first in the 200 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Bob Rafferty finished first in the 100 freestyle and third in the 200 freestyle. In the 100 breaststroke Jeremy Lazarus finished first and Alex Berger came in at a close second. Berger also finished third in the 50 freestyle.

In the 200 IM Eric Jones took second place and Dunaway came in third. Jones also finished third in the 100 backstroke. Steve Rader took second place in the 200 fly, while Joshua Schnacke came in second in the 50 freestyle. In relay events, Berger, Jones, Rader and Matt Werbach teamed up in the 200 medlay relay to take first place.

Rachel Juergens and Melissa Beck had two first place finishes each for the women. Juergens took the blue ribbon in both the 1000 and 500 freestyle events. Beck finished first in the 200 IM and 100 freestyle. In addition, Allison Dingus finished first in the 100 butterfly and second in the 200 freestyle. Melanie Edsall claimed a second place in the 100 backstroke. Paula Hauser brought in first place points in the 100 breaststroke.

Betsy Godin had a second place finish in the 100 butterfly, while third place points were awarded to Nicole Kinzeler in the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Third place points also went to Courtney Paul in the 50 freestyle, and Courtney Galliger in the 100 freestyle.

The relay team of Paul, Dingus, Godin and Courtney Smith took first place in the 200 freestyle relay, while the team of Edsall, Hauser, Beck and Galliger touched the wall first in the 200 medley relay.

Freshman Scott Olmsted called the meet, "a great motivator for Conference." The North Coast Athletic Conference Championships are scheduled for February 8-10th and will be the Tigers next competition.