The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams head to Wheaton, Ill., this weekend for the Midwest Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
The Pioneers are coming off solid performances last weekend when both the men and women extended their Midwest Conference Championships title streaks. In the men's division, Cyrus Mistry '11 broke his own school record in winning the 200-yard breaststroke and Garnet Smith '08 was named diver of the meet for the second year in a row. Mistry also broke the school record in the 100 breaststroke.
In the women's division, Grinnell's Valerie Stimac '09, Meghan McDoniel '09, Jacqueline Anderson '11 and Morgan Horton '11 set a new school record and MWC record in the 800 freestyle relay. McDoniel was named swimmer of the meet and joined Valerie Stimac '09, Anderson and Chloe Moryl '10 to set a pool record in the 400 freestyle relay.
The Grinnell College men's swimming and diving team won its seventh Midwest Conference title in a row Sunday night in Appleton, Wis. The Pioneers piled up 1074 points to beat runner-up Monmouth College, which tallied 880.
Cyrus Mistry '11 (left) broke his own school record en route to winning the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:08.16, which is also an NCAA provisional time. Garnet Smith '08 (right) was named diver of the meet for the second year in a row.
Runner-up for the Grinnell men was Nate Wittnam '09 in the 200 butterfly (2:01.01). The The Pioneers were third in the 400 freestyle relay with Ross Noecker '11, Dan Neely '09, Pat Blachly '09 and Sean Warlick '08 (3:18.88). Fourth place went to Glenn Clark '10 in the 200 backstroke (2:07.27) and Matt Remissong '08 in the 200 breaststroke (2:14.84). Eric Thumma '08 was fifth in the 1650 freestyle (17:29.32), while other fifth places were collected by Mike Weslander '09 in the 200 breaststroke (2:15.22) and Patrick Thomas '10 in the 200 butterfly (2:09.86). Blachly was sixth in the 100 freestyle (50.12).
"It was a challenging meet for us, but our people rose to the challenge," said Grinnell coach Erin Hurley. "It was a great team effort. Our depth was a big key."
Day 3 Results
MWC Championships Site
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams are well on their way to repeating as champions following the second day of the Midwest Conference Meet in Appleton, Wis.
The day was highlighted by a new school record and Midwest Conference record by the women's 800-yard freestyle relay team of Valerie Stimac '09, Meghan McDoniel '10, Jacqueline Anderson '11 and Morgan Horton '11, who finished in 8:00.07, and a new school record in the men's 100 breaststroke by Cyrus Mistry '11.
The Pioneer women have 891 points after the second day, well ahead of second-place Lawrence University's 546. On the men's side, Grinnell has 749 points while Monmouth College has 575.
Individual champs for Grinnell on the women's side Saturday were Stimac in the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.87), Amy Hadow '10 in the 100 butterfly (1:00.52) and McDoniel (1:10.94). Garnet Smith '08 won the men's one-meter diving event with 407.60 points. Grinnell's women won the 200 medley relay, as Alex Peitz '10, McDoniel, Hadow and Chloe Moryl '10 swam 1:52.73.
Runners-up for Grinnell were Amanda Keledjian '08 in the women's 400 IM (4:52.69), Matt Remissong '08 in the men's 400 IM (4:29.16), Nate Wittnam in the men's 100 butterfly (53.68), Mistry in the 100 breaststroke (59.71), Peitz in the women's 100 backstroke (1:02.63), Nick Smith '10 in one-meter diving (345.05) and the men's 200 medley relay team of Glenn Clark '10, Mistry, Wittnam and Pat Blachly '09 (1:40.19).
Placing third were Horton in the women's 400 IM (4:52.91), Anderson in the women's 200 freestyle (2:01.75), Andie Schrage '08 in women's three-meter diving (331.65) and the men's 800 freestyle relay team of Wittnam, Ross Noecker '11, Blachly and Sean Warlick '08 (7:17.58). Fourth went to Eric Thumma '08 in the men's 400 IM (4:37.98), Moryl in the women's 100 butterfly (1:05.00), Clark in the men's 100 butterfly (55.22) and 100 backstroke (57.30), Allie Kossoy '08 in the women's 200 freestyle (2:04.35), Andrea Leiser '11 in the women's 100 breaststroke (1:13.53), Anders Ahlberg '09 in the men's 100 breaststroke (1:02.78), Jordan Allison '09 in women's three-meter diving (307.95) and Mark Sullivan '10 in men's one-meter diving (317.75).
Placing fifth for Grinnell were Noecker in the men's 200 freestyle (1:49.38), Lara Meyer '11 in the women's 100 breaststroke (1:14.35) and Alyssa Yokota-Lewis '08 in women's three-meter diving (249.90). Dan Neely '09 was sixth in the men's 100 butterfly (56.63), a similar placing achieved by Blachly in the men's 200 freestyle (1:49.55).
MWC Results
The Grinnell College men's swimming and diving team got off to a strong start on its quest for a seventh consecutive Midwest Conference title at the league meet Friday in Appleton, Wis.
The Pioneers collected two titles on the opening day of competion, including a three-meter diving crown from last year's MWC Diver of the Year, Garnet Smith '08. He tallied 418.05 points. Grinnell was also first in the 400-yard medley relay, as Glenn Clark '10, Cyrus Mistry '11, Nate Wittnam '09 and Sean Warlick '09 combined for a clocking of 3:38.97.
Runners-up for the Pioneers were Sean Warlick '08 in the 200 IM (2:03.83) and Nick Smith '10 in three-meter diving (328.10). Matt Remissong '08 was third in the 200 IM (2:04.04) and Cyrus Mistry '11 was fourth (2:04.26). Also placing fourth was Mark Sullivan '10 in three-meter diving (303.85), as well as the 200 freestyle relay team of Daniel Neely '09, Patrick Blachly '09, Jon Willuhn '09 and Warlick (1:30.85).
The meet continues Saturday and runs through Sunday.
Day 1 Results
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams will attempt to keep their long-time Midwest Conference championship streaks alive this weekend when the three-day meet takes place in Appleton, Wis.
Grinnell's women have won nine league championships in a row, while the men have six consecutive crowns. Action begins at 10 a.m. Friday and continues through Sunday.
The Pioneers have dominated the MWC leader board this season, owning top performances in 22 of the 46 events. Grinnell's women have top performances in 14 events, including individual leaders Alex Peitz '10 (100 backstroke and 200 backstroke), Meghan McDoniel '10 (100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, 200 free and 200 individual medley), Amy Hadow '10 (100 fly and 200 fly), and Valerie Stimac '09 (50 free and 100 free). Grinnell also owns the top performances in all five relays - 200 free, 400 free, 800 free, 200 medley and 400 medley.
Individual leaders on the men's side include Cyrus Mistry '11 (100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke) and Garnet Smith '08 (six-dive and 11-dive one-meter, plus six-dive and 11-dive three-meter). The Pioneers are also tops in the 200 free relay and 200 medley relay.
2008 MWC Championships Schedule
Grinnell College won a dozen events in a swimming and diving meet Saturday at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.
The men competed in a dual, beating Morningside College by a 201-84 score. The Pioneer women competed in a triangular, finishing second as a team. The host school tallied 196 points, Grinnell had 76 and Morningside 19.
A handful of Pioneers were in on two victories apiece, including men's and women's divers Garnet Smith '08 and Andie Schrage '08. Smith won the one-meter diving with a score of 216.85 and three-meter at 250.05, while Schrage won those events with scores of 210.50 and 216.70, respectively.
Tommy Olson '10 and Sean Warlick '08 were both members of the first-place 200-yard medley and 400 free relay teams that won in times of 1:43.00 and 3:24.47, respectively. Cyrus Mistry '11 and Dan Neely '09 completed the 200 medley team and Pat Blachly '09 and Nate Wittnam '09 completed the 400 free team. Wittnam was also double winner, taking first in the 1650 free in 17:46.03.
Other men's champs were Ross Noecker '11 in the 500 freestyle (5:09.21), Matt Remissong '08 in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.90), Patrick Thomas '10 in the 200 butterfly (2:19.41), Mike Weslander '09 in the 200 breaststroke (2:20.74) and Glenn Clark in the 100 butterfly (56.09).
Individual men's runners-up for Grinnell were Noecker in the 200 freestyle (1:51.82), Clark in the 100 backstroke (59.92), Anders Ahlberg '10 in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.04), Eric Thumma '08 in the 200 butterfly (2:23.91), Blachly in the 50 freestyle (23.63), Nick Smith '08 in one-meter diving (193.30) and three-meter diving (191.60), Wittnam in the 200 backstroke (2:07.49), Jon Willuhn '10 in the 200 breaststroke (2:28.91), Remissong in the 500 freestyle (5:10.58) and Mistry in the 400 IM (4:35.67).
Individual runners-up for Pioneer women were Valerie Stimac '09 in the 200 freestyle (2:01.65), Amanda Keledjian '08 in the 200 butterfly (2:20.92), Jordan Allison '09 in one-meter diving (189.15) and three-meter diving (200.30) and Alex Peitz '10 in the 100 butterfly (1:03.79).
Stimac, Meghan McDoniel '10, Jacqueline Anderson '11 and Chloe Moryl '10 were second in the women's 400 freestyle relay in 3:45.13, while Noecker, Neely, Max Stephenson '10 and Willuhn were runners-up in the men's 400 freestyle relay (3:32.11).
The Pioneers' next action will be the Midwest Conference Championships on Feb. 15-17 at Lawrence University.
Meet Results
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams will be in action this weekend with a double dual at Cedar Falls against the host school - the University of Northern Iowa - and Morningside College. Action starts at 1 p.m.
Both Grinnell teams split duals last weekend. On Friday, the women's team rolled past Coe College 143.5-83.5 in Cedar Rapids and the Pioneer men won 158-46. On Saturday, Luther College beat the visiting Pioneers - the men by a 207-93 score and the women 197.5-102.5. For the season, Grinnell's women own a 4-3 dual record and the men are 3-3.
Following Saturday's action, Grinnell's next competition is the following weekend when it competes in the Midwest Conference Championships hosted by Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis.
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams fell to Luther College Saturday in Decorah on Saturday, with the host school's women posting a 197.5-102.5 victory and the men's team a 207-93 decision.
The Pioneers had four event victories, led by two titles by Cyrus Mistry '11. He won the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:13.94 and joined Tommy Olson '10, Dan Neely '09 and Sean Warlick '08 to win the 200 medley relay in 1:42.78. Women's winners were Meghan McDoniel '10 in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.51) and Morgan Horton '11 in the 500 freestyle (5:27.68).
Men placing second in individual events were Misty in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.74), plus Garnet Smith '08 in the two diving events (166.25 and 229.45). Women's runners-up were Horton in the 1000 freestyle (11:17.66), Alex Peitz '10 in the 200 butterfly (2:21.23) and 200 backstroke (2:21.74), Chloe Moryl '10 in the 50 freestyle (25.95), Andie Schrage '08 in the two diving events (138.20 and189.70) and Amy Hadow '10 in the 100 butterfly (1:02.69).
Grinnell's Peitz, McDoniel, Hadow and Valerie Stimac '09 also teamed up to take second in the 200 medley relay (1:59.35), while Stimac, McDoniel, Jacqueline Anderson '11 and Moryl were runners-up in the 200 freestyle relay (1:42.98).p>
The Pioneers travel to Cedar Falls for a Feb. 2 meet with host University of Northern Iowa as well as Morningside College. Action starts at 1 p.m.
Meet Results
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams dominated host Coe College in a dual Friday night, with the Pioneer men winning by a 158-46 margin and the women 143.5-83.5.
Numerous Pioneers were in on event victories, including men's triple winner Nate Wittnman '09. He won the 100-yard butterfly (55.75), 500 freestyle (5:07.04) and was part of the first-place 200 medley relay team along with Tommy Olson '10, Mike Weslander '09 and Jon Willuhn '10 (1:43.79). Garnet Smith '08 won men's one-meter and three-meter diving with scores of 220.15 and 256.55, respectively, while Olson also claimed first in the 100 backstroke (57.72). Meghan McDoniel '10 won two titles on the women's side, taking first in the 50 freestyle (26.46) and part of the 200 medley relay with Amanda Keledjian '08, Amy Hadow '10 and Chloe Moryl '10 (1:55.85).
Other women's champs were Allie Kossoy '08 in the 1000 freestyle (11:32.63), Alex Peitz '10 in the 100 butterfly (1:03.86), Jacqueline Anderson '11 in the 100 freestyle (56.57), Morgan Horton '11 in the 200 freestyle (2:02.10), Valerie Stimac '09 in the 200 IM (2:20.94) and Emily Sipfle '08 in the 500 freestyle (5:34.86). Rounding out the men's list of champs were Sean Warlick '08 in the 100 freestyle (50.33), Matt Remissong '08 in the 200 freestyle (1:55.09), Pat Blachly '09 in the 50 freestyle (23.39) and Cyrus Mistry '11 in the 200 IM (2:06.72).
The Pioneers were also second in the 200 medley relays, with Laura McElroy '11, Andrea Leiser '11, Stimac and Peitz doing so in the women's race (2:01.40) and Glenn Clark '10, Mistry, Dan Neely '09 and Max Stephenson in the men's event (1:44.71). Other men's runners-up for Grinnell were Ross Noecker '11 in the 1000 freestyle (10:52.18) and 100 freestyle (51.65), Patrick Thomas '10 in the 200 freestyle (1:56.67), Nick Smith '10 in one-meter diving (203.55) and three-meter diving (219.65), Clark in the 100 backstroke (58.58) and Remissong in the 500 freestyle (5:08.17).
For the women, other Pioneer runners-up included Carly Kruse '10 in the 1000 freestyle (12:04.72), Keledjian in the 50 freestyle (26.89) and 500 freestyle (5;36.12), Peitz in the 200 IM (2:23.43), Andie Schrage '08 in one-meter diving (233.23) and three-meter diving (217.45), Moryl in the 100 butterfly (1:05.89), Horton in the 100 freestyle (56.91) and McDoniel in the 100 backstroke (1:07.54).
The Pioneers are in action again Saturday with a dual meet at Luther College in Decorah.
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams will be in action this weekend with a pair of duals on the road.
The Pioneers travel to Cedar Rapids on Friday for a 6:30 p.m. meeting with Coe College and then take on Luther College at noon Saturday in Decorah.
Grinnell is coming off a strong performance at its own invitational last weekend, as the men's squad placed second in the team standings and the women were third. Cyrus Mistry '11 paved the way for the Pioneers by setting a school record in the 200-yard breaststroke en route to earning Midwest Conference Performer of the Week honors. His winning time of 2:11.51 broke the previous best of 2:11.68, set by Scott Truelove in 1992.
On the women's side, Grinnell got a victory from Morgan Horton '11. She placed first in the 500 freestyle with a clocking of 5:24.47.
Following the duals, Grinnell's next action is at the University of Northern Iowa Feb. 2 in Cedar Falls. Morningside will also be at the meet.
Grinnell College's Cyrus Mistry '08 has been named the Midwest Conference Men's Swimming and Diving Performer of the Week.
Mistry, of West Des Moines, set a school record in the 200-yard breaststroke at the Grinnell Invitational Friday. His winning time of 2:11.51 broke the previous mark of 2:11.68, set in 1992 by Scott Truelove. Mistry also had a trio of runner-up finishes in the 400 medley relay (3:47.08), 200 medley relay (1:41.82) and 100 breaststroke (1:01.13). He was third in the 400 IM (4:32.12) and fifth in the 200 IM (2:07.16). Mistry owns the MWC's top times in both breaststroke events this season.
The MWC Female Performer of the Week was Megan Rice, a freshman from Ripon College.
MWC Weekly Release
The Grinnell College men's swimming and diving team piled up 491 points to earn runner-up honors at its own invitational Saturday at Obermiller Pool.
Luther College was the winner with 853 points, while Macalester College was a ways behind Grinnell to finish third with 174 points.
Grinnell had four runner-up finishes on the day, two in relays and two in individual events. Relays placing second were the 200-yard medley squad of Tommy Olson '10, Cyrus Mistry '11, Nate Wittnam '09 and Alex Horvath '11 (1:41.82) and the 400 freestyle team of Olson, Horvath, Pat Blachly '09 and Sean Warlick '08 (3:19.78). Mistry was also second in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.13) and Garnet Smith '08 took second in one-meter diving (360.30).
Finishing third for Grinnell were Mistry in the 400 IM (4:32.12), Mike Weslander '09 in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.83) , Olson in the 50 freestyle (22.48) and Nick Smith '10 in one-meter diving (352.55) . Matt Remissong '08 was fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.53) and Anders Ahlberg '10 fifth (1:05.96).
Placing sixth were Remissong in the 400 IM (4:39.41), Jon Willuhn '10 in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.38), Horvath in the 50 freestyle (22.99) and Ross Noecker '11 in the 1650 freestyle (18:15.44).
The Pioneers travel to Cedar Rapids this Friday to face Coe College in a dual at 6:30 p.m. The following day, Grinnell takes on Luther College in Decorah at noon.
Second Day Results
A record-setting performance by Cyrus Mistry '11 (pictured) helped the Grinnell College men's swimming and diving team to second place after the opening day of the Pioneers' own invitational Friday at Obermiller Pool.
Mistry, from West Des Moines, had a winning time of 2:11.51 in the 200-yard breaststroke. That broke the school record of 2:11.68, set by Scott Truelove in 1992.
As a team, the Pioneers have 267 points to trail only Luther College, which has 400. Macalester College is a distant third with 88 points.
The Pioneers got runner-up finishes from Nate Wittnam '09 in the 200 butterfly (2:05.09), Garnet Smith '08 in three-meter diving (389.10), the 200 freestyle relay team of Pat Blachly '09, Tommy Olson '10, Alex Horvath '11 and Sean Warlick '08 (1:29.97), the 400 medley relay team of Olson, Mistry, Wittnam and Horvath (3:47.08) and the 800 freestyle relay team of Wittnam, Blachly, Ross Noecker '11 and Warlick (7:32.84).
Taking third were Olson in the 100 backstroke (57.46), Matt Remissong '08 in the 200 breaststroke (2:19.37) and Nick Smith '10 in three-meter diving (285.95), while fourth-place finishes went to Mike Weslander '09 in the 200 breaststroke (2:20.72) and Mark Sullivan '10 in three-meter diving (251.70). Mistry was fifth in the 200 IM (2:07.16).
The meet concludes on Saturday, with preliminary action starting at 9 a.m. and finals at 5:30 p.m.
First Day Results
First Day 800 freestyle relay results
Grinnell Invitational Photos
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams will look to repeat last year's strong showings when they host the annual Grinnell Invitational Friday and Saturday at Obermiller Pool.
The meet, Grinnell's final home action of the season, begins at 9 a.m. Friday with finals slated to begin at 7 p.m. that night. On Saturday, action again begins at 9 a.m. with finals set for 5:30 p.m.
Grinnell's women captured the title last year with 510 points, beating runner-up Luther College's total of 428 and third-place Carthage College's 337 points. On the men's side, Luther College won the 2007 crown with 788 points and Grinnell took second with 506. Third place went to Monmouth College with 210 points.
Men's and women's teams competing this year will be Grinnell, Augustana, Coe, Knox, Luther, Macalester and Morningside. The women's teams from Carthage and the University of Nebraska-Kearney will also compete.
"Coming off our hardest training of the year during our recent trip to Florida, we're expecting our best times of the season," said Grinnell coach Erin Hurley. "We'll have more than enough competition, which is great at this time of year. The entire team is looking forward to competing our pool, especially since it's our final home meet of the year.
Following the invitational, the Pioneers' next action will be Jan. 25 at Coe College in Cedar Rapids and the next day at Luther College in Decorah. The Coe meet starts at 6:30 p.m. and the Luther contest at noon.
Order of Events
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams collected two victories and a number of runner-up finishes Thursday during competition on their annual winter trip to Naples, Fla.
As a team, the Pioneer women split contests, beating Sweet Briar College 110-60 and falling by a 100-50 score to Connecticut College. The Pioneer men also lost to Connecticut College 100-50.
Meghan McDoniel '10 had a hand in both Grinnell wins, taking first in the women's 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:11.60 and swimming on the first-place 200 medley relay team that finished in 1:56.05. Rounding out the quartet were Alex Peitz '10, Amy Hadow '10 and Chloe Moryl '10.
Nate Wittnam '09 earned a pair of runner-up finishes in the men's 200 freestyle (1:51.42) and 100 butterfly (55.28). The Pioneer men were also second in the 200 medley relay with Glenn Clark '10, Cyrus Mistry '11, Dan Neely '09 and Jon Willuhn '10 (1:43.82) and 200 freestyle relay with Patrick Blachly '09, Ross Noecker '11, Eric Thumma '08 and Sean Warlick '08 (1:35.10).
Grinnell's women had runner-up finishes by McDoniel in the 200 IM (2:17.25) and Valerie Stimac '09, Laura McElroy '11, Jacqueline Anderson '11 and Amanda Keledjian '08 in the 200 freestyle relay (1:47.20).
Morgan Horton '11 was third in a pair of women's races, the 1650 freestyle (19:16.57) and 500 freestyle (5:33.32). Also placing third were Moryl in the 50 freestyle (26.12), Keledjian in the 100 butterfly (1:04.39), Stimac in the 100 freestyle (55.99) and Peitz in the 100 backstroke (1:07.07).
Grinnell's men got third-place finishes from Willuhn in the 50 freestyle (23.56), Blachly in the 100 freestyle (51.32) and Mistry in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.04).
The Pioneers' next action is at home on Jan. 18 and 19 when they host the Grinnell Invitational.
Meet Results
The Grinnell College men's and women's swimming and diving teams will continue a long holiday-break tradition in early 2008 with an annual trip south.
For the 13th year in a row, the Pioneers are heading to Florida for training sessions and even a dual meet. The destination for the eighth year in a row is Naples.
"From a coaching standpoint it's great," said Grinnell coach Erin Hurley of the trip, which lasts from Jan. 3 to 15. "We get to work out twice a day and also have the opportunity to train outdoors."
Team bonding is also a benefit of the trip, the coach added. "In terms of team chemistry, this trip is very important for the team members and coaches," she said. "It's a chance for people to get to know their teammates better. They get a chance to read, sleep, eat, go to the beach, spend time with friends and just get an academic break in preparation for second semester. Plus, with our training, they come back in better physical shape. Mentally and physically, it's a great deal for us."
Training takes place at the Golden Gate Aquatic Center, the same venue where the team faces Connecticut College in a dual meet on Jan. 10. "That's always worked out well," said Hurley. "We're down there and they're down there, so we always go against them."
Hurley said the trip also allows the team the opportunity to meet up with Grinnell alums. "One of the College's trustees, Susan Holden McCurry '71, has a home down there and invites us to a reception with the alumni," said Hurley. "That's a lot of fun for everybody."
The Grinnell swimming and diving teams are both off to successful starts, including runner-up finishes at the Mutual of Omaha Invitational hosted by the University of Nebraska-Omaha. In dual meets, both the men and women own 2-1 marks.
Following the dual with Connecticut College, the Pioneers' next action will also serve as their final home meet of the year. The Grinnell Invitational is slated for Jan. 18 and 19 at Obermiller Pool.
Nate Wittnam '09 won an individual title to spark the Grinnell College swimming teams at the Mutual of Omaha Invitational that wrapped up Saturday night in Omaha, Neb.
The Pioneers ended up finishing second as a team in both the men's and women's events. The men tallied 1,156 points to finish behind only Colorado School of Mines, which had 1,454. The Grinnell women tallied 919 points. The women's champ was host University of Nebraska-Omaha, which scored 1,782.
Wittnam's win came in the men's 200-yard butterfly, where he had a time of 2:02.36. The Pioneers got one individual runner-up finish, that coming from Alex Peitz '10 in the women's 200 butterfly. Her time was 2:19.28. Grinnell also got runner-up finishes from its women's 200 medley relay team that finished in 1:55.74 and women's 400 freestyle relay team that had a time of 3:47.34. Peitz, Meghan McDoniel '10, Chloe Moryl '10 and Valerie Stimac '09 were on the 200 medley team and Jacqueline Anderson '11, McDoniel, Moryl and Stimac made up the 400 free team.
Grinnell got third-place finishes from Cyrus Mistry '11 in the men's 200 breaststroke (2:14.69), men's 200 medley relay squad of Tommy Olson '10, Mistry, Wittnam and Alex Horvath '11 (1:41.06) and men's 400 freestyle relay team of Patrick Blachly '09, Olson, Horvath and Sean Warlick '08 (3:22.73). Taking fourth were McDoniel in the women's 200 IM (2:18.60), Paul Gagne '10 in the men's 200 freestyle (5:10.09) and Olson in the men's 100 backstroke (57.23) and men's 100 freestyle (49.85).
Grinnell now has more than a month off of competition before facing Connecticut College in Naples, Fla., on Jan. 10, 2008.
Day 2 Results
The Grinnell College men's and women's swimming and diving teams are both in second place following the opening day of the Mutual of Omaha Invitational following Friday's action.
The Pioneer men have 565 points and trail only Colorado School of Mines, which has 699. The women are at 457, trailing just the host school's total of 849.
Grinnell's highest finishes Friday were runner-up placings by Tommy Olson '10 in the men's 50-yard freestyle with a time of 22.21 and the women's 400 medley relay team of Alex Peitz '10, Meghan McDoniel '10, Amy Hadow '10 and Valerie Stimac '09, which finished in 4:18.86.
Individuals placing third for Grinnell were Cyrus Mistry '11 in the men's 100 breaststroke (1:02.58) and Hadow '10 in the women's 100 butterfly (1:01.19). Relay teams taking third were the women's 200 freestyle squad of Laura McElroy '11, McDoniel, Chloe Moryl '10 and Stimac (1:42.25), the men's 200 freestyle team of Patrick Blachly '09, Alex Horvath '11, Sean Warlick '08 and Olson (1:29.75) and the men's 400 medley quartet of Olson, Mistry, Nate Wittnan '09 and Warlick (1:56.96). Horvath '11 was fourth in the men's 50 freestyle (22.55), while McDoniel '10 took fourth in the women's 200 freestyle (2:01.56).
The meet concludes on Saturday. After the UNO meet, Grinnell has more than a month off of competition before facing Connecticut College in Naples, Fla., on Jan. 10, 2008.
Team scoring after Day 1
Day 1 Results
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams will compete in the Mutual of Omaha Invitational Friday and Saturday at HPER Pool in Omaha, Neb. Action will be contested at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day.
Both Grinnell teams finished seventh in the meet last year. The host University of Nebraska-Omaha was the women's team champ in 2006 and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was the men's winner.
Grinnell has competed in three dual meets so far this year, with both the men and women posting 2-1 marks. The teams own victories over Loras College and Lake Forest College while falling to the University of Chicago. Grinnell was rewarded for its efforts by sweeping Midwest Conference Performer of the Week honors - diver Garnet Smith '08 for the men and swimmer Meghan McDoniel '10 for the women.
After the UNO meet, Grinnell has more than a month off of competition before facing Connecticut College in Naples, Fla., on Jan. 10, 2008.
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams have swept the Midwest Conference Performer of the Week honors.
Diver Garnet Smith '08 (left) won the honor on the men's side and Meghan McDoniel '10 (right) earned it in the women's division.
Smith, from Amherst, Mass., broke a school and pool record in three-meter diving during Friday's dual victory over Loras College. His score of 309.20 bettered the previous mark of 294.0 by Nate Brennaman in 1995. He also won the one-meter diving event against the Duhawks with a score of 271.5. Smith went on to win both events the next day in a double dual with the University of Chicago and Lake Forest College with scores of 279.95 and 212.35, respectively.
McDoniel, from Moline, Ill., had a big weekend starting with a triple-victory performance against Loras. She won the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events in 55.80 and 2:02.55, respectively, and swam a leg on the 400 medley relay team that finished in 4:15.90. In the double dual with the University of Chicago and Lake Forest, McDoniel posted wins in the 200 breaststroke (2:38.58) and 200 IM (2:19.14).
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams split contests Saturday with host University of Chicago and Lake Forest College.
The men beat Lake Forest 186-99 and lost to the hosts 163-123. The women beat Lake Forest 220-53 and were edged by UC 155-139.
The women won six events, with individual victories coming from Meghan McDoniel '10 in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:38.58) and 200 individual medley (2:19.14), Valerie Stimac '09 in the 200 freestyle (2 minutes, 1.92 seconds), Amy Hadow '10 in the 100 butterfly (1:01.18) and Chloe Moryl '10 in the 50 freestyle (26.33). Grinnell also won the 200 freestyle relay with Laura McElroy '11, Chloe Moryl '10, Amanda Keledjian '08 and Stimac (1:43.26).
The men's team was paced by Garnet Smith '08, who won the one- and three-meter diving with scores of 279.95 and 212.35, respectively. Grinnell's men also got wins from Tommy Olson '10 in the 50 freestyle (22.84) and Nate Wittnam '09 in the 100 butterfly (55.15).
Grinnell's women were second in the 200 medley relay with Alex Peitz '10, McDoniel, Amy Hadow '10 and Stimac (1:56.16), Keledjian in the 200 butterfly (2:20.18) and 100 butterfly (1:02.83), Andie Schrage '08 in one-meter diving (181.15) and three-meter diving (177.15), Stimac in the 100 freestyle (55.94) and Peitz in the 500 freestyle (5:35.99).
Men's runners-up were Nick Smith '10 in one-meter diving (188.45) and three-meter diving (195.15), Cyrus Mistry '11 in the 200 breaststroke (2:18.29), Glenn Clark '10 in the 100 butterfly (59.86), Pat Blachly '09 in the 200 IM (2:13.34) and the 200 freestyle relay team of Blachly, Jon Willuhn '10, Olson and Sean Warlick '08 (1:31.89).
The Pioneers are off until Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 when they compete in the two-day Mutual of Omaha Invitational hosted by the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Results
Sparked by a record-setting performance by Garnet Smith '08, the Grinnell college men's swimming and diving team posted an easy 145-68 victory over Loras College Friday night in the Pioneers' season opener at Obermiller Pool.
Smith established a school and pool record in three-meter diving with a score of 309.20. That betters the previous Grinnell best of 294.0 set by Nate Brennaman in 1995. Smith also won the one-meter diving event with his score of 271.50.
Nate Wittnam '09 and Alex Horvath '11 were both in on three victories. Wittnam was a member of the winning the 400-yard medley relay team that finished in 3 minutes, 44.88 seconds and also won the 200 and 500 freestyles in 1:52.41 and 5:01.41, respectively. Horvath was first in the 50 and 100 freestyles with times of 23.22 and 50.88, respectively. He also combined with Ross Noecker '11, Pat Blachly '09 and Tommy Olson '10 for the fastest time in the 400 freestyle relay of 3:25.04.
Blachly also won the 100 butterfly in 57.91, while Olson, Cyrus Mistry '11 and Sean Warlick '08 rounded out the 400 medley relay team. Mistry also won the 200 individual medley in 2:08.84, Noecker won the 1000 freestyle in 11:06.31 and Jon Willuhn '10 had the fastest clocking of 1:05.80 in the 100 breaststroke.
Grinnell travels to the University of Chicago Saturday to face the host school and Lake Forest College in a 2 p.m. double dual.
Grinnell vs. Loras Results
The Grinnell College winter sports teams will kick off their 2007-08 campaigns this weekend.
The Pioneer men's and women's swimming and diving teams host Loras College in a 6 p.m. dual Friday night at Obermiller Pool. After that, the Pioneers head to the University of Chicago for a double dual with the host school and Lake Forest College at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Grinnell will again be seeking a big season, as the women chase their 10th Midwest Conference title in a row and the men their seventh straight. Both teams return the MWC Swimmers of the Year - Valerie Stimac '09 on the women's side and Nate Wittnam '09 for the men. The men also return MWC Diver of the Year Garnet Smith '08. Other returning individual league champs include Paul Gagne '10 on the men's side and Amanda Keledijan '08, Meghan McDoniel '10, Amy Hadow '10 and Alex Peitz '10 for the women.
The Pioneer women's basketball team hosts Buena Vista at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Darby Gymnasium. The Pioneers, coming off a 9-14 campaign, will be led by All-MWC first-teamer Hannah Wolf '08, a 5-foot-8 guard who led the league in both scoring (22.3 points per game) and 3-pointers (80) for the second year in a row. Other key returnees include 5-5 guard Jodi Watkins '09, 5-7 guard Laura Burton '08, 5-5 guard Miki Nakamura '10, 5-10 forward Jessica Shotts '10, 5-9 forward Emma Peterson '10 and 5-4 guard Alison Nelson '09.
Buena Vista, 17-10 last season, is led by sophomore Margo Muhlbauer. An All-Iowa Conference first-teamer, Muhlbauer averaged 15.6 points and 3.8 rebounds a contest last season.
The Grinnell men's basketball team, coming off a MWC championship season that saw the Pioneers go 13-3 in league play and 17-7 overall, play in the Buzz Levick Tip-Off Tournament hosted by Wartburg College Friday and Saturday in Waverly. The Pioneers meet the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the first round at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Wartburg hosts Aurora University in the other first-round matchup, with the consolation game set for 6 p.m. Saturday and championship at 8.
Two Grinnell players have already garnered preseason recognition. David Arseneault '09 has been named a candidate for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award for the second consecutive season, while John Grotberg '09 has been tabbed third-team preseason All-American by D3hoops.com. Arseneault was the NCAA Division III assists leader for the second season in a row with 203, breaking his own school record, and also averaged 18.7 points per game. Grotberg ranked third in DIII scoring at 28.1 points a contest and also averaged 3.1 assists a game.
Also back for Grinnell is honorable mention All-MWC pick Keith Chamberlain '08, the team's tallest player at 6-8 who averaged 11.9 points and 6.4 rebounds a game. Rounding out the list of top returnees are Bobby Long '09 (15.3 ppg) and Mike Schmidt '08 (8.8 ppg), who are 6-0 and 6-3, respectively.
UW-Eau Claire is coming off a 10-16 mark last season. Senior Dan Beyer returns after leading the Blugolds in scoring in 11 games a year ago, including a league-season high 40 points at UW-Whitewater on Feb. 17. Geoff Probst scored 16 points in the Blugolds' 74-35 exhibition setback at NCAA Division I Wisconsin-Madison on Nov. 7.
Wartburg's top returnees include senior guard Lee Nelson (10.3 ppg, 2.2 apg), senior forward/center Brad Schmitt, junior guard Cashes Mason (8.9 ppg, 56.8 percent from 3-point range) and junior forward Danny Stark. The Knights were 11-15 last season. Aurora, ranked 13th by D3hoops.com, was 25-3 last season. The Spartans return a core of players from last season, including four starters. Senior forward Larry Welton, the 2006-07 Northern Athletics Conference Player of the Year and AU's leading scorer, returns as a D3hoops.com and Street and Smith Preseason first-team All-American. He has 1,736 career points.
The Grinnell College swimming and diving teams will be in action this weekend with a pair of exhibition events.
The annual Scarlet and Black Dual intrasquad meet is slated for 7 p.m. Friday at Obermiller Pool. On Saturday, at noon, the Pioneers host the Randall Relays Alumni Meet.
Grinnell's first official competition will be Nov. 16 when Loras College visits for a 6 p.m. dual. The next day, the Pioneers travel to the University of Chicago to take on the hosts and Lake Forest College. That event begins at 2 p.m.
Coming off its sixth straight Midwest Conference Championship last season, Grinnell hopes to make it seven in a row in 2008. With returning Midwest Conference Swimmer of the Year, Nate Wittnam '09, as well as individual conference winners Paul Gagne '10 (1650) and Garnet Smith '08 (1 and 3 meter diving), the Pioneers will turn to 19 letter winners as well as some talented first-years for needed depth. The team looks especially strong in diving and breaststroke and hopes to maintain the momentum in the distance freestyle events. Here's a look at how the team shapes up:
Sprint Freestyle
Senior tri-captain Sean Warlick '08 returns to combine with Dan Neely '09, Tommy Olson '10, and first-year Alex Horvath '11 to make a MWC statement in the short freestyle events. Last season the returning crew was shut-out of the top 3 places in the conference in the sprints. Neely, Warlick and Olson finished 4th, 5th, and 7th in the 50, and Warlick, Neely and Pat Blachly '09 finished 6th, 7th and 8th, respectively in the 100 at the 2007 MWC championships.
Distance Freestyle
The Pioneers made dramatic improvements in the distance events at last year's MWC Championship. For the first-time in more than a decade the Pioneers captured titles in both distance freestyle events. MWC Swimmer of the Meet, Nate Wittnam '09 started off the festivities by capturing the 500 free and upsetting the two-time defending conference champion. Paul Gagne's later scored an upset victory in the 1650 over the same defending champion. Eric Thumma '08 and Patrick Thomas '10 finished 8th and 9th in the 500. This duo, along with Anders Ahlberg '10 demonstrated endurance with mile finishes of 3rd, 6th and 13th, respectively. With Wittnam, Blachly, Gagne and Warlick, the Pioneers will look to defend their MWC title in the 800 Freestyle relay. First-year Ross Noecker '11 could be a surprise addition to the championship relay and may score valueable points in the middle distance freestyle.
Backstroke
Without relying on depth, the Pioneers will count on power in the backstroke events from a few key people. In the short backstroke it will be up to Tommy Olson to improve on his third place conference finish. Last season he was .06 seconds away from second place and .90 seconds out of first. Wittnam will look to defend his 200 performance backed up by Glenn Clark '10 and Olson. Last season they finished 6th and 8th place, respectively in the 200.
Breaststroke
At both distances, depth will be the key for the Pioneers in the breaststroke events. After being shut-out of the top three at last year's conference championship in the 100, Matt Remissong '08, Mike Weslander '09, and first-year Cyrus Mistry '11 should be shooting for top three finishes at the MWC Championships on 2008. Anders Ahlberg, Jay Lidika, and Jon Willuhn (all '10) could add a slew of points with top 8 finishes in the 100. Weslander finished 3rd last season in the 200 breaststroke. He will be joined by Remissong and Mistry who will all be battling it out for top three finishes at the MWC Championships.
Butterfly
Wittnam and Neely will be backed by a deep group of secondaries including Clark, Thomas, Rex Chien '09 and Toby Kathan '10. Neely and Chien finished 6th and 8th in the 100 last season. In the 200, Wittnam captured his third title of the meet and was supported by Clark, Thomas and Chien who turned in 4th, 8th and 9th place finishes, respectively.
Individual Medley
After graduating the conference champion in both the 200 and 400, the Pioneers will look to Weslander, Blachly, and Chien to get the job done in the 200 distance event (6th, 8th, and 17th last season. In the 400, Thumma, Clark, and Lidika finished in the top seven. Remissong could shake up the top point scorers in either distance. Mistry, Ian Warlick '10 and Jason Thumma '10 could all contribute.
Diving
The Pioneers hope to dominate the diving events again. Tri-captain and Midwest Conference Diver of the Year, Garnet Smith' 08 returns to capture both titles he won last season. He will be accompanied by Nick Smith and Mark Sullivan (both '10) who last year finished 2nd on both boards and 4th and 5th on 1-meter and 3-meter, respectively.
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