(O'FALLON, Ill., Oct. 24) – The McKendree University swimming and diving program hosted Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) member Truman State University at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex for their first dual meet of the season on Friday afternoon. Both the men and women Bearcats swept a majority of the events, leading them to their season's first wins.  
 
The men's final score was 208-78, defeating Truman State.
 
The meet kicked off with a win in the 200 medley relay. The men's team of DaVante Carey (Nassau, Bahamas/Queens College), transfer Henrik Dahrendorff (Beckum, Germany/SC Magdeburg), Gregg Lichinsky (West Des Moines, IA/West Des Moines Valley High School), and Caleb Law (Anchorage, AK/Robert Service) finished with a time of 1:32.88.
 
Senior Macoy Neinas (Sturgeon Bay, WI/Southern Door) contributed two wins for the Bearcats in the 200 backstroke and the 200 individual medley. Neinas finished with a time of 1:58.69 in the backstroke and 1:59.09 in the IM.

Defending national champion Fabio Dalu (Cagliari, Italy/Liceo L.B. Alberti Cagliari), won the 500 and 1000 yard freestyle with the times of 4:35.53 and 9:19.18.  
 
Senior Xander Skinner (Namibia, Africa/Windhoek Afrikaans Private School) captured three wins for the Bearcats in the 50, 100, and 200 yard freestyle with times of 20.39, 45.26, and 1:39.01.
 
In one meter diving, Ethan Larson (Anchorage, AK/PAIDAIE Cooperative School) took first with a score of 225.10.
In three meter diving, Larson took the top spot with a score of 262.70.
 
The meet finished with the 200 freestyle relay. The men's team of Skinner, Law, Taras Zherebetskyy (Alghero, Sardegna, Italy/ITS "Angelo Roth"), and Lichinsky posted a time of 1:22.52.

"We were so excited to get back to racing! Going up against a formidable GLVC opponent like Truman State always helps bring the juice to our team. Last year's unexpected abrupt ending left the season a bit unfulfilled, but now we have a fresh slate and the chance to see some positive results from the tough early season training" said head coach Jimmy Tierney.
 
Up next in the season, the swimming and diving program will travel to the University of Indianapolis for a dual meet on November 7^th.