MONMOUTH, Ill. – Monmouth College’s swim teams were more interested in the times than the final outcome for their dual meet last weekend at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.

The Lions, whose men were NAIA national runner-ups in 2007 and women were fifth, swept the Scots, 217-71 in men’s competition and 155-84 on the women’s side. The Scots did turn in some impressive times as they prepare for the Midwest Conference championships in two weeks.

Monmouth’s women swept the top two spots in the 1000-yard freestyle. Heather Plum and Meaghan Gritzenbach finished 1-2 in the distance swim with times of 11:58.70 and 12:45.56, respectively. Plum also took second in the 500- freestyle (5:49.65). Anne Lane made her return to the pool a successful one, touching first in the 200- butterfly (2:20.65) and finishing second in the 100- freestyle (58.25). Lauren Nelson took first in the 200- backstroke with a personal-best 2:33.90 and placed third in the 100- backstroke (1:14.48). In the diving well, Kayce DeRoo took first in the 1-meter dive with 207.95 points.

Megan Wentzlaff and Jessica DeMink finished 2-3 in two events – the 200- breaststroke (2:55.39 and 2:57.86, respectively) and the 200- individual medley (2:37.05 and 2:46.06). Wentzlaff also finished second in the 200- freestyle (2:18.70) and DeMink was third in the 100- breaststroke (1:21.68). Lane and Sally Thomas finished 2-3 in the 100- butterfly (1:04.72 and 1:17.20, respectively.) Nelson, Wentzlaff, Lane and Plum teamed for a third place in the 200- medley relay (2:11.13).

On the men’s side, Kurt Niemeier also returned to the pool and took first in the 200- freestyle (1:49.63) and the 50- freestyle (22.90). Kevin Satler swam a personal-best 2:22.62 in the 200- breaststroke to finish second.

Joe Moran and Ryan Bouwman finished 2-3 in the 200- butterfly (2:27.82 and 2:29.06, respectively). Chad Rowland and Ed Novak had a 2-3 finish in the 500- freestyle (5:15.12 and 5:15.68, respectively). Rowland also took a third in the 1000- freestyle (10:58.90). Other thirds came from Jon Peterson in the 100- breaststroke (1:04.90); Josh Van Swol in the 200- backstroke (2:07.87); John Kaiser in the 100- butterfly (58.37); and Harrsion Heilman in the 200- individual medley (2:11.81). The 200- freestyle relay team of Dan Campione, Tom Pederson, Kaiser and Niemeier swam to a second place finish (1:34.26).

Divers Kayce DeRoo and Jack Clifford will compete this weekend at Illinois Wesleyan while the rest of the Scots are off until the MWC Championships held Feb. 15-17 in Appleton, Wis. The Scots’ men finished second at last year’s meet, their highest finish since the 1967-68 season. The Monmouth women placed fourth, the highest finish in the three-year history of the women’s program.

Men's Swimming  |  Women's Swimming