O'FALLON, Ill – Mckendree University men's swimming and diving defend the home pool against #8 Lewis and University Missouri ST. Louis.
Final score of the meet:
Mckendree 173 – Lewis 123
Mckendree 207 – UMSL 80
The Bearcats started the dominance with winning the 200-medley relay in a time of 1:27.78. The relay led by senior backstroker Patryk Rozenek and senior butterflyer Jackson Lustig. In addition to them freshmen Nojus Bertulis and freshman Vova Gavrysh helped secure the first victory of the meet.
Sophomore sensation Christian Davidson swam an in season best time of 9:10.71 in the 1000 yard free. Accompanying him was junior Luke Asberry placing fourth with a best time of 9:48.70. Davidson swam the sixth best time in division II this year.
Senior Leo Gandaria touched first in the 200-yard freestyle leading the race from start to finish. Known for his incredible back-end speed, he pushed himself as soon as the race started and won with a time of 1:39.41. Touching in second with a time of 1:39.85 was Junior Tyson Upton.
Senior Patyrk Rozenek from Poland touched first in the 100-yard Backstroke thanks to his amazing underwater kicking ability.
Freshman breaststroke duo of Nojus Bertulis and Dante Nicola Rho touched first and second respectively both with best times. Bertulis touched with a time of 53.82 and Rho with a time of 55.36.
Senior Jackson Lustig broke his own pool record in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:43.64. Lustig already owns the top time in Division II. Fellow Senior Archie Minto finished second with a time of 1:51.00.
Gavrysh sprinted into first place in the 50 Freestyle with a best time of 20.08
Moments later after the midway break of the meet Vova touched first in the 100-yard freestyle as well. Followed closely by seniors Gandaria Hernandez and Souza. Souza came in 2nd place with a time of 45.43 and Gandaria Hernandez touched in 3rd place with a time of 46.02. Completing the first Bearcat sweep of the day.
Senior Jackson Lustig tested his versatility with a win in the 500-yard freestyle. Winning with a time of 4:34.54. "It was fun to race an event I used to be swimming every meet. Back in Highschool I loved swimming the 500 free and I'm happy I got to do it one last time." Lustig said.
Vova Gavrysh touched first in the 200-yard IM and finished the day with four wins in the book. His individual medley swim was highlighted by amazing butterfly and backstroke legs.
To finish off the meet the men landed another victory but in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Patryk Rozenek, Nojus Bertulius, Kirk Brotherton and Tyson Upton touched first with a time of 1:22.72 over Lewis and UMSL. The B relay consisting of all seniors featuring Patrick Cramer, Leo Gandaria, Alireza Yavari, and Arthur Souza narrowly finished 3rd with a time of 1:23.08.
"It's not often you see a quarter of a team hit PBs in the last dual meet of the season. Imagine what we can do fully rested" Noah Javens assistant swim coach said.
This closes out the regular season for the Bearcats, and now look to the GLVC Championships which will being on Feb. 11 in Elkhart, IN.
