Neil Anderson
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Performing in the national spotlight, the Tiger men's and women's swimming and diving teams rose to the occasion, taking dual meets against Transylvania and Wabash. The men moved to 4-0 on the dual meet campaign with a 125-110 win over the Little Giants, while dispatching the Pioneers 165-71. On the women's side, Head Coach Natalie Koukis' squad controlled the meet from the start, and finished with a 128-106 margin over Transylvania.
In a meet that was webcast live in front of a national audience on SwimmingWorldMagazine.com, the Tiger women seized the early momentum with a win the in the 400-yard medley relay. From there, the night took off for the Tiger women, as they collected seven wins in the nine individual swimming events, while sophomore Megan Shubitowski (Columbus, Ohio/Watterson) took a first and second in the diving events.
Wittenberg also received a number of double-winners on the night, highlighted by junior Adeline Brym (Mansfield, Ohio/Lexington) and her 200 IM and 200 backstroke victories. Freshman Rachel Lee (Hickory, N.C./Hickory) controlled the distance events, taking the 500 and 1000 freestyle with individual victories.
On the men's side, junior Neil Anderson (Lakewood, Ohio/Lakewood) took the 200 and 500 freestyle events, along with the 200 butterfly. Meanwhile, junior Matt Erepreiss (Columbus, Ohio/Centennial) swept the diving events for the men. Sophomore Chris Culkin (Novi, Mich./Northville) also had a strong meet, winning the 1000 freestyle and taking second to Anderson in the 500.
The victory over Wabash marked the first time in school history that the Tigers had topped the Little Giants in a dual meet, dating back to their first encounter in the 2002-03 season. Both the men's and women's sides look to carry over their success when they hit the road to Greencastle, Ind. for a 3 p.m. meet on Saturday, Nov. 8, with the DePauw Tigers.