Successfull start makes for high hopes

The men start 3-0 for first time since reinstatement

By: Mike Wozniak
Contributing Writer

Despite the loss of Andrew Wilson who broke nine school records at the Midwest Conference (MWC) last year, the men’s swimming team has started their season with the best record since its reinstatement at 3-0.

Junior Dan Campione set two school records in the 2005 Midwest Conference meet when he placed second in the 200-yard backstroke and third in the 100-yard backstroke. “Dan Campione is our number one returner, and I’m also hoping for big things from Jim Travnik and Eric Pavlacka,” said head coach Keith Crawford.

The team’s success can be heavily attributed to its depth and scoring ability. “The men are better and much deeper than a year ago,” said Crawford. “Our biggest strength will be our collective depth. Of the 16 guys, every single one of them should be able to score at the conference meet. If they can all score in all three of their events, those points add up in a hurry.”

Freshman John Kaiser was named Midwest Conference performer of the week due to his impact at the Carroll Invitational this past Saturday, Nov. 4. Kaiser and his teammates finished first in the 400-medley relay, setting a new school record. Their time of 3:50.78 was nearly two seconds faster than the previous mark. Kaiser also took first in the 200-yard butterfly with a mark of 2:09.86 and took second in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.65.

Friday night, the freshman continued his strong season and took first in the 200-meter individual medley. Kaiser also finished first in the 100-meter butterfly, helping the Scots win a double duel with Lake Forest College and Lawrence University.

During the Carroll Invitational this past Saturday, the Scots placed first in eight out of the 11 men’s events. Campione, freshman Jonathan Peterson, Kaiser and junior Kurt Niemeier teamed up in the 400-medley relay, placing first in a Monmouth record time of 3:50.78. Niemeier also placed first in the 200-freestyle event finishing in 51.33 and also placed first in the 100-freestyle. Campione led by example in the 50-freestyle when he placed first with a time of 23.38; Travnik dominated in the 400-IM, placing first. Josh Van Swol finished first in the 200-backstroke event with a time of 2:10.02, and Pavlacka rounded out the first-place finishers in the 500-freestyle, finishing in a time of 5:30.15.

The women’s team hopes to improve their performance since their inception; they have placed eighth in the last two conference meets. “We’re hoping we can move up a spot or two,” said Crawford. “We think we have at least six swimmers who can score in multiple events at the conference meet.”

Sophomore Sarah Christensen was the lone Scot in an A-flight final last year, but she made the best of it, placing fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke in a school-record 1:12.06. She also set a record in the prelims of the 50-yard freestyle with her time of 26.32.

Freshman Leigh Anne Lane has made her presence know this year. At the Carroll Invitational, Lane placed first in the 200-butterfly with a time of 2:19.24 and first in the 500-Freestyle with a time of 5:38.51.

The swimming program has gone through many positive changes this year, and will strive for success as the season continues.