QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University swimming team played host to the Saints of Maryville University on Saturday afternoon (Jan.14) at the HFC pool for a showdown of conference foes. The men's squad came away with a big team win over MU 117-50 and the women's team suffered a close defeat 93-88.
On the men's side, the Hawks came away with individual wins in every event on the day as well as another in relays.
Dennis Mhini got QU started winning the 200-yard and 100-yard freestyles.
Borna Kisasondi added another victory in the 50-yard freestyle.
Martiniano Montero grabbed a top finish in the 200-yard IM.
Ethan Anderson worked his way to the top of the podium in the 200-yard butterfly.
Wyatt Walsh swept his individual events coming out on top in the 200-yard backstroke and 200-yard breaststroke and
Nolan May was first to the wall in the 500-yard freestyle. In addition, the team of Franco, Walsh, Montero and Kisasondi finished first in the 400-yard medley relay.
The women's team had a strong showing on the day with eight individual victories, one relay and two new pool records.
Chantal Tiesinga collected two W's in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle.
Izabella Sparrow got the job done in the 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke.
Faith Cummings came out on top in the 100-yard freestyle and 200-yard breaststroke.
Nancy Olson led the way in the 200-yard IM and set a new pool record of 2:28.77 in her 200-yard butterfly win. The team of Sparrow, Olson, Tiesinga and Cummings won the 400-yard freestyle relay in a new pool record 3:54.10.
Although the women's squad couldn't quite come away with a win, there was still a great deal of progress made, despite their busy schedule.
Sophomore,
Nancy Olson put things into perspective, "we had a tough week, starting in Florida, and then having a two-day drive, then doubles on Thursday including a lift and a meet on Friday night. All that considered, we stayed fierce."
After competing in a meet just yesterday, the Hawks were already back in action again this afternoon. With such a busy schedule, it can be difficult for competitors to continue pushing through.
Even with all these factors in play, Olson liked the fight she saw out of her team in today's contest, "we had some really impressive swims and some swims that hurt for sure, but we kept in the race. We've got one more meet to go and we're ready to keep truckin!"
The Hawks will play host once more for their final meet of the season against William Jewell College on Saturday (Jan. 21) for a 1:00 p.m. showdown at the HFC pool.
