GAMBIER, Ohio – On Senior Day at the Steen Aquatic Center, the Kenyon College men's swimming and diving team celebrated five seniors in style, edging Case Western Reserve University 153-143 in a home dual on Friday evening.
Kenyon set the tone immediately in the 200-yard medley relay, as Peter Dunson, Noel Tumbasz, Roman Savage and senior Djordje Dragojlovic combined for a winning time of 1:29.53, finishing ahead of the Spartans' "A" entry (1:31.32). The Owls also placed third with their "B" quartet at 1:32.20.
In the distance events, Case claimed the top spot in the 1,000 freestyle, but Kenyon answered with a strong group behind Evan Harrison's runner-up effort at 9:41.63. The Owls put three swimmers in the top four, as junior Matthew Weiner (9:45.33) and first-year Daniel Ybarbo (9:47.77) followed close behind.
Shortly after, the Owls picked up a key win in the 200 freestyle behind Savage, who touched first in 1:41.29, narrowly edging the Spartans' Mason Bencurik (1:41.71). Later in the meet, senior Ethan Manske delivered a pair of momentum-swinging victories, winning the 200 butterfly (1:49.59) and the 200 backstroke (1:49.21). Manske's performance in the 200 butterfly cleared the NCAA's "B" time cut.
Dragojlovic supplied points at the top of the sprint events, winning the 50 freestyle in 20.15, then doubling back to claim the 100 butterfly at 49.21, etching yet another unforgettable night with two new personal records. Senior Teo Jaworski added another first-place finish for the Owls with a victory in the 200 IM, clocking in at 1:53.28, a new personal best.
In the 500-yard freestyle, first-year Kristof Szappanos led the way for the Owls, touching first with a time of 4:41.08, while teammates Matthew Weiner (4:44.71) and Conner Verbanas (4:45.84) followed close behind to secure second and third-place finishes.
On the boards, sophomore James Lackner turned in a strong afternoon, placing second on both springboard events with scores of 222.75 on one-meter and 221.70 on three-meter.
Kenyon capped the day with another strong showing in the 200 freestyle relay, as the Owls' "B" squad of Michael Baltodano, Savage, Pedro Mello and Jack Douglas took second in 1:24.66.
Weather permitting, Kenyon returns to action tomorrow in Oxford, Ohio, taking on Division I foes Miami University (Ohio) and Xavier University in a tri-meet hosted by Miami. First swim is set for 1:00 p.m.
