<k exterior of the Warner Palaestra Pool, which hosts both the St. Bens and St Johns, swim teams, posed a high contrast to the electrifying meet the Knights were having inside.
On the men’s side, the day included stunning performances that created a championship meet-like atmosphere on the pool deck. Ted Marschall ’09 earned his first NCAA qualifying time as he dominated the 200-yard individual medley. Marschall would finish out the meet with two other individual wins.
The diving portion of the meet showcased Senior John Knapp’s ability to pull out a win when it counted most. Knapp’s first place finish on the 3-meter diving board helped keep the meet close.
Adding to the electricity, the men’s 100-yard backstroke, which was initially won by sophomore Andrew Merring, had to be redone based on a technical violation during the first race. In both races, Merring was first to the wall; he even improved his time on the second go around.
Capping off the day for the men, the 400-yard freestyle relay proved to be the most exciting race of the meet. As soon as the first swimmers entered the water, the pool erupted in cheers. As the Knights and Johnnies raced head to head, Senior Elliot Bartis was determined to win, as he took the lead during the third leg. With the walls of the aquatic center vibrating from the cheers emitting from the stands and deck, Freshman Djem Kissov, held off the Johnnie push and touched the wall first by just two one hundredths of second.
Despite the great performances by all the men’s team, the Knight’s fell to the Johnnies by a mere twelve points. The two teams will face one another again at the MIAC championship meet in February.
For the women of Carleton Swimming and Diving, St. Ben’s was no match for the depth and strength of the Knights.
Starting off the meet, the Knight’s 400 individual medley relay was first to the wall, as Senior Becky Alexander touched ten seconds ahead of the fastest St. Ben’s relay. Shortly after the victory, Junior Kelsey Ihinger would go on to win the next event, the 1650 freestyle.
Continuing the their strong performance, freshmen Maggie Alexander and Annie Metcalf were 1-2 in the 100 backstroke. Alexander and Sophomore Kale Zicafoose would finish first and second in the 200 backstrokes later in the meet, while Metcalf added another victory in the 500-yard freestyle.
The Knight’s victory was also aided by strong diving performances by Sophomores Erin Heydinger and Sydney Weydemeyer.
The Knights would cap off the meet just the way they started it. The Knight’s 400 freestyle relay, comprised of the three Alexander sisters (Maggie, Kate, and Becky) and sophomore Louise Buckler, would finish in dominating fashion as the Knights won 189-111
The Knights are back in action this Saturday as they host the Carleton Mini Invite at Thorpe Pool, first race starts at noon.