Men’s Swim and Dive Battles Hard but Comes Up Just Short Against Northwestern and UIC

CHICAGO, Ill.- The University of Southern Indiana Men’s Swimming and Diving team faced off against Northwestern University and the University of Illinois-Chicago in the Chicago vicinity on consecutive days. The Screaming Eagles were defeated on Friday by a formidable Big Ten rival, ending 42-199. USI faced a close defeat on Saturday against UIC, ending 98-187.

At Northwestern
USI was unable to secure victories in any heats against a robust Northwestern team on Friday evening. Nevertheless, the Eagles delivered several impressive performances and achieved numerous personal bests.
 
Freshman Jude Winnington secured fourth in the 200 freestyle (1:55.26), while junior Gabriel Groves nearly matched his personal best in the 50 freestyle (21.74). Sophomore Sam Smith led the Eagles in the 100 butterfly with a remarkable showing (51.59).
 
Freshman Justin Knauf achieved his personal record in the 500 freestyle (4:51.30). Junior Caleb Davis took third place in the 100 breaststroke (59.89).
 
At UIC
The Eagles ventured into the city to compete against the Flames of UIC on Saturday. Sophomore Alek Bandy energized the Eagles with a second-place finish in the 1000 freestyle (10:24.55), improving his seed time by five seconds and achieving a personal best.
 
Junior Jack Hannon followed Bandy’s performance with a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle (47.95). Hannon also claimed a second-place finish in the 100 freestyle (47.95). Davis delivered an impressive performance, securing second in the 100 breaststroke (59.66).
 
Junior Liam Murray excelled with a personal best in the 100 backstroke (54.47), improving his seed time by three seconds. Sophomore Joey Smith obtained a second-place finish in the 50 freestyle (21.66). Knauf departed Chicago with another personal record in the 100 butterfly (54.36).
 
In the one-meter dive, junior Lane Pollock demonstrated consistent performance on the board (253.64 pts). Sophomore Nathan Deputy led the Eagles in the three-meter event (252.83).
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles will return home to challenge crosstown rivals the University of Evansville and Butler University on January 18 at the USI Aquatic Center.