The Ashland University swimming teams got in the pool for the first time competitively this season when Findlay, Hillsdale and Wayne State traveled to Ashland. At the end of the weekend, AU left the pool with a 3-0 record.

Findlay

It was no Friday night fright for the Ashland University swimming teams. The Eagles opened their season Friday at home with a pair of convincing victories over Findlay. The AU men won by a 121-37 count and the Ashland women prevailed, 139-91.

Up and down the lineup, event by event, the Eagles looked strong. Sophomore Jenna Linder won the 500 freestyle (5:22.55) and the 1000 freestyle (10:54.35). Linder was also part of the 200 free relay that won in 1:40.88. She was joined in that race by freshman Sarah Reidler, junior Mary Cargill and senior Kristyn Benter. Cargill and Benter went one-two in the 50 freestyle, Cargill winning in 25.33 and Benter placing second in 25.66.

The AU men had six individuals claim gold. Freshman Alexander Sheil won the 200 IM (1:56.58) and the 100 backstroke (53.80).

Hillsdale & Wayne State

It was fall break last weekend at Ashland University. That means it was a long weekend and a well-deserved holiday for the Ashland University swimming and diving teams.

On Saturday, the AU men nipped Wayne State, 151-149 and the AU women dunked Wayne State, 176-120 and downed Hillsdale, 194-89. The Ashland men are 2-0 and the Eagle women are 3-0.

The men’s contest came down to the final event of the day – the 400-yard relay. The Eagles clinched the victory by winning that race in 3:08.87. WSU touched home in 3:09.80. AU’s winning foursome included Sheil, Chewy Vogele, Matt Cook and Tyler Bailey.

Alexander also finished first in the 500 freestyle (4:43.08) and 200 butterfly (1:57.49). Bailey was on the victorious 400 medley relay (3:27.28) and was the runner-up in the 100 freestyle (46.65) and 200 freestyle (1:45.51).

For the women, Julie Widmann won gold medals in the 100 backstroke (59.04) and 100 freestyle (53.58). Allison Morgan finished first in the 50 freestyle (24:55) and 100 butterfly (58.96).

Widmann and Morgan were on the 400 medley relay that finished first in 3:58.04 and the 400 free relay that won in 3:37.06.

Next for AU is a trip to Grand Valley State the day before Halloween.