Denison’s men and women kicked off the 2014-15 swimming season with a long course meet on Saturday at Michigan State University. The meet was a tri-match, including Grand Valley State as well. Big Red’s men fell to both Michigan State (155-49.5) and Grand Valley State (121-84). The Big Red women split the day, defeating Grand Valley (119-86) but falling to Michigan State (137-68.)
The highest place finisher in the meet for Big Red’s men was junior Conrad Wuorinen, who placed second in the 50 meter freestyle (24.97). He was also fifth in the 100 meter freestyle (55.24) and swam a leg of Denison’s third place 400 freestyle relay (3:50.31). Wuorinen swam the 50 free at NCAAs last year and finished 12th with a 20.59. Using the Speedo Swim Time Converter, his times might have been around a 21.77 and 48.32 for yards – not a bad start to the season.
Other top finishers for the Big Red men included junior Ryan Fleming, sophomore Max Howes and freshman Stuart Hohm who all put up third place finishes in freestyle events. Fleming was third in the 100 meter freestyle (54.76/47.89) and anchored the fourth place 400 meter medley relay (4:11.84). Howes claimed his bronze in the 200 meter freestyle (2:00.43/1:45.61) and lent a helping hand on Denison’s 400 freestyle relay.
Freshman Hohm took third in the 400 freestyle (4:18.90/4:50.08), fourth in the 800 freestyle (8:58.94/10:03.85) and joined his teammates Wuorinen, Howes and junior Andrew Rich for the 400 freestyle relay.
On the women’s side of things, the Denison crew was led by sophomore standout Campbell Costley who won two individual events and helped win one relay. Costley held off MSU senior Becca Berman to take the crown by .04 seconds in the 800 meter freestyle (9:25.49/10:33.60). In the 400 meter freestyle, Costley had a come-from-behind victory on the final 50 to secure the win finishing in 4:35.81 (5:09.03). Her final victory of the day came in the 400 meter freestyle relay, joined by senior teammates Rima Jurjus and Molly Willingham and junior Ashley Yearwood.
On the other side of the freestyle spectrum – the sprints – Costley’s yearmate Carolyn Kane also secured a victory in the 100 freestyle (1:01.30/53.78) while Yearwood claimed third in the event (1:01.97/54.38). Kane also placed second in the 50 meter freestyle with a 28.12.
Full meet results can be found here.
Big Red will be back in the water at Kenyon College next Saturday for the annual NCAC Relays. The diving team will remain in Granville for the NCAC Diving Relays.