The Wittenberg men's and women's swimming and diving teams posted strong finishes in a season-opening dual meet against national powerhouse and NCAC rival Wooster last Saturday. The results were a 145-95 win for the Tiger men and a 134-107 defeat for the Tiger women against a team that finished fifth in the nation a year ago.

Individually, the men's team posted a large number of first-place finishes. Senior Steve Rader (Concord, Ohio/St. Ignatius) posted wins in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke, senior Alex Berger (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay) took first in the 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard freestyle, freshman Sean Wolf (White Lake, Mich./Walled Lake Central) claimed the top spot in the 1000-yard freestyle and 1500-yard freestyle, freshman Cody Nicely (Knoxville, Tenn./Bearden) captured a pair of victories in the one-meter and three-meter diving events and senior Kyle Dunaway (Warren, Ohio/Howland) hit the wall first in 200-yard Individual Medley. In addition, the 200-yard freestyle relay quartet of Rader, Wolf, Berger and senior Scott Olmsted (Castle Rock, Colo./Cherry Creek) finished first.

The team's swimmer of the week award was handed out to junior Jonathan Newcomer (Valencia, Pa./Mars Area), who didn't win his race but recorded his best in-season time in the 100-yard backstroke. He broke through the one-minute barrier earlier than he has in past seasons.

On the women's side, sophomore Becca Searcy (Shelbyville, Ky./Shelby County) took a first place finish in the 200-yard IM and freshman Mary Workman (Medina, Ohio/Cloverleaf) captured both diving events. Many other quality times were turned in throughout the meet as the Tigers got their first dual meet look at one of the top competitors in the conference and national title races in 2003-04.

The Tigers are back in the pool this weekend with a pair of meets. First up is a tri-meet at Wilmington with Ohio Wesleyan. Then on Saturday, perennial powerhouse DePauw comes calling on the HPER Center Natatorium at 1 p.m.

Next: 11/7 at Wilmington with Ohio Wesleyan, 6 p.m.