The University of Redlands swimming & diving teams returned to Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action on Saturday afternoon when they traveled to the University of La Verne to face the Leopards and the Whittier College Poets in a tri-meet. While scoring head-to-head against each team, the Bulldog women cruised to a pair of victories, topping La Verne by a score of 168-71 and besting Whittier in a 149-87 decision. The Maroon and Gray men also prevailed over both teams, defeating the Leopards, 123-111, and the Poets, 120.5-109.5.
Redlands' women jumped out to a solid start in both showdowns with quality performances by the divers. Senior Akari Matsumoto (Redmond, WA) took first on the three-meter board with a score of 213.95, while junior Jessica Kolsky (Red Wing, MN) came in second with a total of 187.10. Sophomore Lindsay Nichols (Arroyo Grande, CA) impressed in the one-meter competition with her first-place tally of 216.80, but Kolsky was not far behind with a score of 214.90 for second place. Matsumoto completed a solid day on the diving boards for the Bulldogs with her 204.45 total.
The 200 Medley Relay of freshman Kate Canfield (Naperville, IL), sophomore Olivia Rock (Boulder, CO), sophomore Claire Stuhr (Portland, OR), and junior Jessica Rivers (Renton, WA) teamed up for a winning time of 1:55.87 to keep things rolling for the Maroon and Gray.
Junior Ellie Jaques (Covina, CA) topped the competition in the 200 Free by clocking in at 1:58.48, while senior Lauren Robeznieks (Tigard, OR) shined in the 50 Free with her first-place time of 25.56.
In addition, Stuhr's time of 2:16.09 ranked first among all competitors in the 200 Individual Medley, as Canfield joined her on the podium with a second-place mark of 2:21.13.
Jaques remained impressive in the 100 Fly by uncorking a sub-minute time of 59.66 to touch the wall first for a season-best mark.
Redlands swept the podium in 100 Back with Canfield leading the pack with her time of 1:02.96. Sophomore Rachel Haney (Redmond, OR) and sophomore Danielle Miller (Hood River, OR) completed the strong showing with their respective times of 1:04.42 and 1:04.66.
Finally, Stuhr and Rivers provided a 1-2 punch in the 100 Breast by posting similar times of 1:11.52 and 1:11.62.
The meet concluded with Redlands' 200 Free Relay of Robeznieks, sophomore Emily Waddell (Bellevue, WA), freshman Courtney Schmidt (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA), and Jaques notching a time of 1:43.27, which was best against the Leopards.
For the men, they never trailed against Whittier but were pushed to the very end against the Leopards, with the final score being determined by the results of the 200 Free Relay.
With the win on the line, the Bulldogs gained a big showing from two of their 200 Free Relays. Freshman Joe Widuch (Naperville, IL), senior Patrick Fink (San Pedro, CA), freshman Lucas Ulmer (Camas, WA), and sophomore Brian Wright (Kent, WA) joined forces to fire off a time of 1:29.61, which placed them first against La Verne in the head-to-head scoring. Sophomore Tristan Wheeler (Wellington, FL), sophomore Corey Winter (Ripon, CA), sophomore Ryan Shuman (Boulder, CO), and freshman Aidan Coon (New York, NY) provided key points as well by clocking in at 1:35.37.
The start of the meet saw Redlands' divers gain valuable points, with junior Miko Mallari (Palo Alto, CA) highlighting their efforts. He scored 195.90 on the one-meter board and tallied 219.90 on the three-meter, placing either first or second.
The 200 IM provided plenty of excitement, as freshman Zack Amendola (Palos Heights, IL) tied for first with the top swimmer from Whittier but took the prize outright against La Verne. He touched the wall in 2:01.72. Amendola continued to shine in the 200 Fly by clocking in at 54.30 to prevail over the Leopards.
Widuch came away with a first-place showing in the 100 Back with his time of 55.58, while junior Will Tyrrell (Portland, OR) closely followed at 56.04 for second place.
Redlands looks forward to hosting Pomona-Pitzer Colleges at the beautiful Thompson Aquatic Center on Saturday, January 16, at 10:30 a.m.