RESULTS
SCORES

(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 13) – The McKendree University swimming & diving teams hosted Washington University – St. Louis and Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) opponent Bellarmine University on Saturday afternoon. McKendree defeated Bellarmine, but ultimately fell to Washington University.
 
Men
McKendree University: 168.00 -- Bellarmine University: 57.00
Washington University St. Louis: 130.00 -- McKendree University: 122.00
Washington University St. Louis: 218.00 -- Bellarmine University: 34.00
 
Women
McKendree University: 161.00 -- Bellarmine University: 83.00
Washington University St. Louis: 141.00 -- McKendree University: 117.00
Washington University St. Louis: 196.00 -- Bellarmine University: 60.00
 
The Bearcats earned 18 first place finishes in the 30 events that the team competed in, including sweeping all four relay events. Both the men and women each won nine events, highlighted by winning the 400 medley and 400 freestyle relays.  
 
"We achieved the goal that we had set for this weekend," said head coach Jimmy Tierney. "We hadn't competed since November, so we wanted to come into this weekend and win at least half of our events. Our swimmers did just that, winning over half of our events on both Friday and Saturday. We're setting our sights ahead now and using next weekend to prepare for the upcoming Conference Championships in February."
 
Freshman Alexander Skinner won all four of his events on the day, including two individual events. Skinner was a vital part of the two relay teams, as well as earning first place in the 50 and 100 freestyle events with times of 21.33 and 46.41 respectively. Sophomore Daniel Buijs finished first in three of his events on the day along with one second place finish. Buijs was a part of the 400 medley relay team, as well as earning first place in the 50 and 150 backstroke events, with times of 24.30 and 1.21.64. Several other Bearcat swimmers earned first place finishes on the day including sophomore Matija Pucarevic (50 butterfly), sophomore Luca Simonetti (200 freestyle), and freshman Throstur Bjarnason (500 freestyle).
 
Sophomore Milica Sostarec earned first place finishes in all four of her events, including both relays and the 50 and 100 freestyle events. Sostarec touched the wall in 24.32 to win the 50 freestyle, and 53.13 to win the 100 freestyle. Sophomore Sydney Rey also placed first in her four events, which included both relay events and the 50 and 150 backstroke events. Rey finished with a time of 28.19 in the 50 backstroke, and a time of 1:33.41 in the 150 backstroke. Freshman swimmers Meredith Geyer and Karlie Rimat each earned first and second place finishes in individual events as well. Geyer touched the wall in 1:56.20 to take first place in the 200 freestyle, and Rimat came in with a time of 2:10.06 in the 200 IM to earn first.
 
The Bearcats are back in action for their final two home meets of the season next weekend, before heading to the GLVC Conference Championships on February 7-10.