The No. 10 Maroons had a strong weekend in their meets against Lewis University on Friday and DePauw and Trinity on Saturday.
Against DII Lewis University on Friday, the women’s team won 118–87, while the men lost a close battle by a score of 104–100. The South Siders won 12 events in total and broke four pool records at the meet.
On the women’s side, second-year Michelle Law won the 200-yard IM and the 100-yard backstroke. The freestylers performed well, with second-year Maya Scheidl winning the 200-yard freestyle, third-year Karen Chu placing first in the 500-yard freestyle, and second-year Alison Wall winning the 100-yard freestyle. Third-year Ciara Hu won the 100-yard butterfly by a slim .02 seconds. Chicago also finished first in both the 400-yard freestyle and the 400-yard medley relays.
On the men’s side, third-year Matthew Veldman placed first in the 100-yard butterfly and also earned wins in the 400-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay. Second-year Jonas Fowler added a victory by placing first in the 200-yard IM.
On Saturday, both teams were victorious at the Senior Day meet against DePauw and Trinity. The men beat Trinity 205–87 and DePauw 192.5–105.5, while the women defeated Trinity 206–89 and DePauw 197–103.
The men’s team garnered nine wins. Fourth-year diver Tony Restaino took home first in the three-meter dive while also setting a school record in the process, and he won first in the one-meter dive as well. Fourth-year team captain Andrew Angeles won the 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke events.
The women’s team also had nine wins on the day as well. Fourth-year team captain Jennifer Hill won the 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke. Hill was also a member of the winning 400-yard freestyle relay and the 200-yard medley relay.
Before the meet, the Maroons honored their eight seniors: Sofia Gross, Hill, Angeles, Michael Charysh, Robert Kunkel, Restaino, Matthew Staab, and Kevin Steffes.
Gross was thrilled that she and her fellow fourth-years competed so well on their senior day.
“Having our final dual meet at home be victorious against two great teams was an amazing feeling,” Gross said. “As seniors, we all felt very accomplished Saturday. After all the morning practices, training trips, and away meets, we finally made it.”
Gross praised her classmates, saying, “I couldn’t have gotten through these years as a collegiate athlete without my teammates. Being a member of this team has been a vital part of my college experience, and I’ve learned so much about myself and from my teammates in the process. We’ve stuck together as a team and work really well together.”
Next up for the Maroons is the UAA Championships. The teams will take a break from competition this weekend to taper and rest.
“We’re all focused and ready to train for conference to finally show up as an entire team at Atlanta because last year we were split between two cities,” Gross said. “Our hard work, dedication, and commitment this season has paid off and I’m excited to see where it will take us at conference this year.”
The championships will take place February 11–15 in Atlanta, Georgia.
