CHICAGO, Ill.- University of Southern Indiana Men’s Swimming and Diving competed in the Chicago area against Northwestern University and University of Illinois-Chicago on back-to-back days. The Screaming Eagles dropped Friday’s match against a tough Big Ten opponent, 42-199. USI turned around on Saturday suffering a narrow loss to UIC, 98-187.
At Northwestern
USI failed to win any heats against a strong Northwestern program on Friday night. However, the Eagles earned multiple standout performances and a few personal bests.
Freshman Jude Winnington placed fourth in the 200 freestyle (1:55.26), while junior Gabriel Groves came close to his personal best in the 50 freestyle (21.74). Sophomore Sam Smith led the Eagles in the 100 butterfly with a strong performance (51.59).
Freshman Justin Knauf notched his personal record in the 500 freestyle (4:51.30). Junior Caleb Davis earned third place in the 100 breaststroke (59.89).
At UIC
The Eagles traveled into the city to battle the Flames of UIC on Saturday. Sophomore Alek Bandy fired up the Eagles with a second-place finish in the 1000 freestyle (10:24.55), improving from his seed time by five seconds and earning a personal best.
Junior Jack Hannon followed Bandy’s heat with a third-place finish in 200 freestyle (47.95). Hannon also earned a second-place finish in the 100 freestyle (47.95). Davis contributed a strong day after placing second in the 100 breaststroke (59.66).
Junior Liam Murray broke through with a career best in the 100 backstroke (54.47), improving his seed time by three seconds. Sophomore Joey Smith snatched a second-place finish in the 50 freestyle (21.66). Knauf left Chicago with another personal best in the 100 butterfly (54.36).
In the one-meter, junior Lane Pollock displayed a consistent performance on the board (253.64 pts). Sophomore Nathan Deputy lead the Eagles in the three-meter event (252.83).
UP NEXT
The Eagles return home to face crosstown rival University of Evansville and Butler University on January 18 at the USI Aquatic Center.
