Tigers Wrap Up Dual Meet Campaign At Kenyon

GAMBIER, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers put the finishing touches on a strong 2014-15 dual meet campaign with a pair of losses at nationally ranked North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Kenyon.

The Tiger men capped the season with a 6-3 record after dropping a 247-53 decision to Kenyon, which has piled up more than 30 national titles and is a leading contender to add another championship in 2015. On the women's side, Wittenberg also finished 6-3 in duals after the Ladies, which have more than 20 national titles and are in the top five again nationally this year, recorded a 234-57 victory.

While the team result was decisively in Kenyon's favor, Wittenberg had some bright spots individually. For the men, senior AJ Burt (Wyoming, Ohio/Wyoming) excelled in the 100-yard breaststroke, finishing third in a time of 59.56, and the 200-yard breaststroke, finishing second in a time of 2:12.52. In addition, senior Ed Young (Shaker Heights, Ohio/University School) turned in a season-best time of 5:05.07 in the 500-yard freestyle to take fifth place.

For the Tiger women, freshman Julia Valentine (Columbus, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) provided the highlights, starting with a third-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 1:08.25. She added a third-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke in a time of 2:33.37.

Also of note, junior Erin Swardenski (Fremont, Calif./Washington) turned in a season-best time of 2:16.04 in the 200-yard backstroke to finish fourth. In addition, Swardenski placed fifth in the 100-yard butterfly with a solid time of 1:03.84.

The Tigers now have 10 days left to prepare for the annual NCAC Championship meet Feb. 11-14 at Denison.

Written By: Ryan Maurer