The University of Redlands men's and women's swimming programs jumped into the 2011-12 season on Saturday by hosting various NAIA, NCAA Division II and III programs for the UR October Invitational. Overall, the men's team finished fourth with 171 points while out-performing three conference foes. The women placed fifth with 100 points, finishing higher than all but one Division III opponent.
The men's team notched seven individual top-five performances as well as two top-five relay efforts.
The quartet of seniors Tyler Harp (San Bernardino, CA) and Colin Gladys (Yorba Linda, CA), along with the brother duo of junior Chris Depew (Naperville, IL) and freshman Jeff Depew (Naperville, IL), got the Maroon and Gray off to a great start by finishing second in the 200 Medley Relay (1:36.92) during the meet's first race.
Last year's SCIAC Athlete of the Year, Harp picked up right where he left off by collecting two top-five finishes in individual competition. The four-year veteran came in third place in the 100 Free (47.26) and took fourth in the 200 Free (1:46.19).
Making his collegiate debut, J. Depew also recorded two top-five spots, placing as the runner-up in the 200 Back (1:59.00) and then coming in third in the 200 IM (1:56.73).
C. Depew kicked off his junior campaign with a solid effort in the 400 IM, just missing out on the top spot with his mark of 4:18.78.
Gladys put together a respectable fifth-place finish in the 100 Fly by touching the wall in 53.66.
On the women's side, the team managed three top-five efforts, including a fifth-place showing in the 200 Free Relay.
Freshman freestylers Margo Macready (Redlands, CA) and Chandra Lukes (Escondido, CA) headlined the team's success with their respective top-five performances. Macready took fifth in the 100 Free (55.87) and then third in the 200 Free (2:00.95) for her Bulldog debut. Lukes recorded a time of 25.53 in her first collegiate 50 Free for fourth overall.
Lukes, Macready, fellow freshman Summer Harp (San Bernardino, CA) and senior K.C. Hughes (Gig Harbor, WA) teamed up for the squad's best relay showing, which came in the final women's race of the day during the 200 Free (1:44.11).
Redlands returns to action on Saturday, November 5, when it hosts the Lancers of Cal Baptist University in a 2 p.m. non-conference meet at the Thompson Aquatic Center.
