First-year Laura Fries and sophomore Scott McInerney paced the Yeomen and Yeowomen against the Tigers on Nov. 11

by Erik Kojola '09

November 11, 2006 -- The Oberlin College men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams both fell to visiting Wittenberg University at Carr Pool this afternoon. The men lost 45 to 123, while the women lost 83 to 117. Despite the defeats, the women had six event winners and the men had four.

The Yeowomen were very competitive in the meet and placed first in six races. In the women’s 400-yard medley relay, the team of first-year Laura Fries, senior co-captain Emily Spence, and sophomores Bryne Ulmschneider and Ploy Keener finished first with a time of 4:19.31. First-year Shannon Gallagher placed first in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:01.81, which was not only a personal and team-best for the season, but also the second-fastest time ever recorded by a woman swimmer at Oberlin. Junior Kiri Ulmschneider placed first in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:56.05, a team and season best, and also the 200-yard butterfly at 2:26.12. Fries finished first in 200-yard backstroke in 2:18.62. In the 500-yard freestyle, Bryne Ulmschneider came in first at 5:28.84.

The women had several fast races, setting numerous season and personal records. In the 1000-yard freestyle, Kiri Ulmschneider finished second with a time of 11:33.50. Gallagher also set a new team season-best with a 55.60 effort in the 100-yard free. Spence had a fast time in the 50-yard free, coming in second at 25.48. Sophomore Sarah Cassella set a personal record in the 1000-yard free with a time of 12:28.16, while senior Melissa Ising established a personal record in the 400-yard individual medley.

Sophomore Scott McInerney led the men’s team with a first-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle at 22.84 and the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:11.69. In the 500-yard free, first-year Daniel Holm placed first with a time of 5:30.06. Holm also placed first in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:28.02), a new team season-best time.

The team is still looking for its first victory, but Head Coach Mark Fino is proud of the way his Yeomen and Yeowomen have competed.

“We have had a very hard couple weeks of training, and to see the team swim like they did today makes me extremely proud of my team,” Fino said. “Last night we had some good swims.  Today we had some great swims.”

Oberlin will hit the water next on November 17 for a 6:30 p.m. home meet against NCAC opponent Hiram College.

Results | Photographs