Staff reports
The Franklin College men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs continued their upward climb this past weekend, turning in record-shattering performances at the NCAA Liberal Arts Championships.
Competing against a field of nine men’s teams and 11 women’s teams, the Grizzlies dominated the four-day event. Franklin’s men totaled 750 points, a whopping 202 ahead of runner-up Nebraska Wesleyan, en route to a fourth consecutive championship. Meanwhile, the women outpointed second-place Luther College by a comfortable 635-540 margin.
Numerous school records fell over the course of the weekend.
Regina Solik set new program standards in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle, becoming the first swimmer in Franklin history to post an NCAA qualifying time in the 50 (23.58 seconds). She also swam on three record-setting relays: the 200 and 400 freestyle and the 200 medley.
Kaitlin Mans also established new Franklin marks in winning the 100 and 200 breaststroke, and she joined Solik on the winning medley relay. Mackenzie Dwyer, another member of the medley relay, also had record swims in the 800 freestyle relay and the 200 backstroke. She also won the 200 individual medley.
Karlee Demsey, Amy McCormick, Haley Blaich and Regina Solik were on the 200 and 400 free relay teams with Solik, with Dempsey also filling out the medley relay quartet. Blaich, McCormick and Sarah Taylor were on the 800 free relay with Dwyer.
On the men’s side, Artur Schneider set a new school record in the 200 individual medley and also took first place in the 100 and 200 backstroke. Schneider swam on four winning relays as well (200 and 400 medley, 200 and 400 freestyle), with three of those setting new Grizzly records.
Jack Heim, Bailey Willoughby and James Hone filled out the two medley relay teams, with Sam Hall replacing Hone on the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
Hone was also on the 800 free relay with Jordan Cermak, Rob Warren and Mac Howard.
“We have built a tradition around our relays at Franklin and take a lot of pride in that regard,” Franklin coach Andrew Hendricks said. “The swimmers know how to step up and race big.”
Jacob Keener took first in 1-meter and 3-meter diving, posting the top score in Franklin history in the latter.
Heim added school records in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, and Howard did so in the 200 butterfly.
