ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry University swimming teams opened their respective seasons with a split against Austin College on day one of the Colorado College Double Dual on Friday, held at Schlessman Natatorium in Colorado Springs.
"Our coaching staff is extremely proud of our team today as they took part in their first meet of the season – at altitude – against Austin College," said McMurry head coach Casey Pacheco. "They have worked extremely hard since we began workouts mid-September. The excitement and jitters to get the first race of the season under our belt is always tough. The team had some personal best times today and we look to continue to build on their success."
Men's swimming dominated across the board for McMurry's season opening dual, defeating the 'Roos 138-38. The McMurry men claimed first place in all 26 events on the day.
Sophomore Terrin Boehmer hasn't missed a beat since his banner year as a freshman, snagging first place in the 200-yard freestyle at 1:55.74 as well as the 100-yard backstroke with a finishing time of 59.88.
Freshman Jonathan McInroe showed great promise throughout the meet, with a first place showing in the first individual event of the men's dual. McInroe took the 1000-yard free with a time of 12:10.23 and later went on to earn first place in the 500-yard free in 5:38.70. He was the only McMurry swimmer to compete in the 500-yard free.
Junior Myles Pickens and sophomore Brayden Reeves finished in the top two spots of the 50-yard free. Pickens finished in 24.12 while Reeves tagged in right behind him at 24.15 to beat out two 'Roos.
Following the win by Pickens and Reeves, freshmen swimmers Alfonso Santoya and Isaiah Narvaez took the top two finishes in the 200-yard individual medley. Santoya posted a time of 2:17.20, just .60 seconds faster than Narvaez. Narvaez posted the fastest lap-time amongst all four competitors with a time of 27.51 to open up the race.
In the final individual race of the day for the men, freshman Logan Pritchett and junior Alec Satre had a picture perfect finish in the 100-yard breaststroke. Pritchett came out on top with a time of 1:09.15 while Satre was just shy of claiming the number one spot with a .61 second difference to seal second place.
Satre had a comfortable first place win in the 100-yard free earlier in the day, finishing in 51.13.
For the McM women, the 'Roos proved to be a challenge down the stretch, claiming a 103-72 victory over the War Hawks.
Despite the loss on the women's side, many swimmers showed great promise.
Junior Kristina Sullivan topped the women's field in the first individual event of the day. Sullivan completed the 1000-yard free in 12:14.11. Sullivan also snagged first place in the 500-yard free at 6:00.38, followed by freshman teammate Cheyenne Lavender who finished second with a time of 6:12.79.
Freshman standout Macie Lindenmier picked up her first collegiate win in the 100-yard back in 1:11.01.
Fellow freshman Melanie Jimenez also showed great effort with a second place finish in the 50-yard free and a third place finish in the 100-yard free.
Staying in Colorado Springs, the War Hawks will face the University of the Ozarks tomorrow night, January 16. The dual is set to begin at 8:30 p.m.
