The Seattle University men’s swim team used its depth to take a significant lead over Pacific Lutheran University, and the Redhawks cruised to a 120-80 victory over the Lutes Friday night at the Connolly Center Pool.
Bart Wanot (Federal Way, Wash.) led off the meet-opening 200 medley relay, joining with Tanner Schelling (Boise, Idaho), Jack Baldoni (Applegate, Calif.), and John Fulmer (Kent, Wash.) for a victory with a time of 1:34.73. Wanot went on to win the 50 freestyle in 21.28 seconds, 3/100ths of a second faster than Schelling, and the 100 backstroke in 51.28 seconds, a three-and-a-half second victory over his nearest competitor. Schelling would post the best time in the 100 breaststroke at 58.16 seconds.
Nick Connors (Richland, Wash.) picked up two victories, first leading a 1-2-3 finish in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:46.35, and then coming from behind to pull ahead of Fulmer by 1/100th of a second in the 500 freestyle, with Connors posting a time of 4:51.41. Alec Barnard (Everett, Wash.) would finish second in the 200 freestyle in 1:48.37, followed by Morgan Montemayor (Seattle, Wash.) in third place in 1:49.10.
Kyle Moline (Mercer Island, Wash.) was also a double-winner Friday night, finishing first in the 1000 freestyle in 9:56.41 and in the 100 butterfly in 51.85 seconds. Connor Webb (Hood River, Ore.) won the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:18.69, with Damon Perry (Sammamish, Wash.) taking second place in 4:21.76.
“We started the meet really well, but a couple of glitches before the second break caused some of the guys to lose focus, so tonight was a good lesson in maintaining concentration no matter what is going on around us. Tomorrow I think the guys will come back strong and show they are capable of fast swims throughout the entire meet,” Seattle U head coach Craig Nisgor said.
Seattle University (1-5) closes out its 2014-15 home schedule with a dual meet against Whitworth University Saturday, Jan. 10, starting at 1 p.m. Before the meet, Fulmer, Moline, and Wanot will be honored in Senior Day ceremonies for their contributions to the Redhawk swimming program.