COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Trinity men's swimming & diving team came up just short in a dual meet against Colorado College for the second straight day, losing a 115-107 decision on Saturday.

The Tigers had 14 different swimmers and divers earn top-three finishes in either individual events or relays, overcoming a rough start after one of the relay teams was disqualified in the first swimming event of the day. Trinity had four individual victories and a win in the 400 freestyle relay, followed by nine runner-up performances, and five more third-place finishes.

Sophomore John Key (El Paso, Texas / Franklin) was the only Trinity individual to win multiple individual events, finishing first in both the 200 backstroke (1:59.72) and the 400 individual medley (4:24.19).

Senior Michael Kohl (Missouri City, Texas / Ridge Point) won the 50 free in 21.94 seconds and was also the second leg of the gold medal 400 free relay team that finished in 3:11.22 on Saturday. Kendal Southwell (Rio Rancho, N.M. / Calvert Online Academy) also snagged an individual title after winning the 200 breaststroke in 2:14.56. Kohl and Southwell were also part of the 200 medley relay team that was disqualified to start the day.

Joining Kohl on the winning 400 free relay team were first-year Daniel Itkins (Houston, Texas / The Village School), sophomore William Walker (Houston, Texas / Westside), and senior Nathaniel Early (Austin, Texas / Westwood). Early and Caleb Manifold (Helotes, Texas / Homeschool) were also on the DQ'd relay team. Walker added two silver medals to his day by finishing second in both the 200 free (1:48.21) and the 200 butterfly (2:01.78). Early also picked up a runner-up finish in the 100 free with a time of 47.42 seconds, while Manifold swam the anchor leg of the third-place Tiger relay team in the 400 free relay (3:14.38).

In addition to his relay gold, Itkins had silver medal finishes behind teammates in both the 50 free and the 100 back. He was the runner-up to Kohl in the 50 free with a time of 22.10 seconds – just 0.16 from the top spot. In the 100 back, Itkins finished in 2:01.13 to trail Key by less than two seconds.

Joining Manifold in the 400 free relay were a trio of first-year swimmers: Nathan Perez (Alpharetta, Ga. / Johns Creek), Trace Briones (San Antonio, Texas / Health Careers), and Chase Hays (Austin, Texas / Anderson). Hays and Briones were also part of the runner-up 400 medley relay team for Trinity, finishing in 3:42.12 and featuring senior John Fontenot (Austin, Texas / St. Andrew's) and first-year Caleb Del Rosario (Sudbury, Mass. / Lincoln-Sudbury).

Aside from his relay bronze medal, Perez also finished third in two individual events: the 200 free and the 200 fly. He was just 0.36 seconds behind Walker in the 200 free with a time of 1:48.57, then later finished just over a second behind Walker in the 200 fly with a time of 2:02.86. Briones added an individual bronze to his relay medals as a part of a Trinity trio that took the top three spots in the 50 free. Briones was third in the event behind Kohl (21.94) and Itkins (22.10), posting a time of 22.49 seconds.

First-year Ryan O'Leary (Austin, Texas / Austin) was the runner-up in a pair of events, finishing second in the 400 IM behind Key with a time of 4:27.67, and leading the Trinity contingent in the 500 free with a time of 5:05.36. Senior diver Konstantine Partalas (San Antonio, Texas / Reagan) earned second on the 1-meter board and third in the 3-meter event. He was just over a point behind the 1-meter winner with a score of 189.00, then also scored 296.93 on the high board.

Coach Speak

"The men suffered a tough DQ to start the meet, but refocused and put together some great efforts," said Head Coach Cathleen Pruden. "We had some first-years step up and show us what they're capable of, as well as some upperclassmen show some great leadership and resiliency. I leave this weekend incredibly motivated. We know we can be better and we have plenty of time to get there. We'll be excited to see Colorado College again at the SCAC Championships."

Up Next

The Trinity men will split up for their next competition as the Tigers will compete in two different events. Trinity will participate in the D3 Shootout on November 3-4 in Chicago, Illinois, and will also host the University of St. Thomas in a dual meet at Hixon Natatorium on the same days.