Oles Surge Past Pipers in Thrilling MIAC Swim and Dive Showdown

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The swimming and diving squads for St. Olaf College, comprising both men’s and women’s teams, together achieved victories in 25 out of 30 competitions on their way to outclassing Hamline University in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) dual meets held on Saturday at Skoglund Natatorium.

The St. Olaf women’s team won 13 out of 15 events, overpowering the Pipers with a score of 209-51, while the men’s team secured 12 out of 15 events in a commanding 177-59 win. With these victories, the Ole women advanced to a 3-1 record in MIAC duals this season, whereas the men earned their first win to improve to 1-2.

Sophomore Katie Homme stood out for the St. Olaf women, achieving three first-place finishes in the 50-yard freestyle (25.21), 100-yard backstroke (1:01.76), and 100-yard individual medley (1:02.79). First-year athlete Erica Johnson triumphed in both sessions of the one-meter diving with scores of 162.45 and 197.00.

Senior Ellen Varley, first-year McKenna Hultgren, first-year Grace Davis, sophomore Samantha Sylvester, junior Olivia Hopewell, and first-year Olivia Small also achieved individual first-place victories, while St. Olaf clinched first in both the 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relays. Sylvester, first-year Sawyer Eastman, and junior Rowan Krueger-Barth were part of both triumphant relay teams.

First-year Travis Elling recorded three first-place finishes for the St. Olaf men, finishing first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:51.38), 100-yard freestyle (51.08), and 50-yard butterfly (26.10). Senior Avery Nevins earned victories in the 50-yard backstroke (26.71) and 100-yard backstroke (57.21), while first-year Daniel Cameron won both the 100-yard butterfly (55.67) and 500-yard freestyle (5:23.24).

Fifth-year senior Marcus Hauck, first-year Dobbin Chong, and sophomore Jack Homme also posted individual first-place finishes, with Hauck and Chong participating in St. Olaf’s two winning relays.

In its second of two home dual meets this season, St. Olaf will welcome Macalester College at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18 for Senior Day at Skoglund Natatorium.