SAN ANTONIO – The Trinity University men's swimming & diving team completed its final tune-up before the conference meet by taking on Division I University of the Incarnate Word on Saturday.
Though the Tigers lost 204-79 in the meet, there were several impressive performances along with marked improvement from last year's meet against the Cardinals. Trinity took second and third in the two relays, while also earning 12 more top three finishes in the individual races.
Nathaniel Early (Austin, Texas / Westwood) and
Michael Kohl (Missouri City, Texas / Ridge Point) led the way with four medals each. Both Tigers were a part of the 200 medley relay that finished second in a time of 1:35.04, and the 400 free relay that was third in a time of 3:11.07. Early also had two individual runner-up finishes in the meet, finishing second in the 100 and 200 freestyle races. He was just 0.09 seconds from the top spot with his time of 1:41.77 in the 200 free, then finished the 100 free in 47.19 seconds for another second-place race. Kohl was also second in the 100 back with his time of 52.96 seconds, then was third in the 100 fly with a time of 51.55 seconds that was just 0.07 from a silver medal.
Joining their teammates for the second-place medley relay were
Kendal Southwell (Rio Rancho, N.M. / Calvert Online Academy) and
Trace Briones (San Antonio, Texas / Health Careers).
Nathan Perez (Alpharetta, Ga. / Johns Creek) and
William Walker (Houston, Texas / Westside) swam with Early and Kohl in the 400 free relay that closed out today's meet. Southwell also picked up two bronze medals in the 100 and 200 breaststroke on Saturday. He finished the 100 in 59.53 seconds, then was third in the 200 with a time of 2:08.84 that was just 0.15 from second place. Briones, Walker, and Perez all earned individual third-place finishes as well. Briones led Trinity with a third-place finish in the 50 free (21.66), while Perez was also the top Tiger swimmer in the 200 butterfly (1:58.25). Walker was just behind early in the 200 free with a time of 1:45.30 that was good for third place.
John Key (El Paso, Texas / Franklin) just missed a bronze in the 200 free behind Walker, finishing just 0.01 behind his teammate. Key made up for the near-miss with third-place finishes in both the 200 back and the 400 individual medley, though. He was just 0.18 seconds from second place in the 200 back, finishing third in 1:56.53. Key later posted a time of 4:15.13 in the 400 IM to finish third.
In the diving events,
Konstantine Partalas (San Antonio, Texas / Reagan) snagged medals in both the 1-meter and 3-meter competitions. Partalas was the runner-up on the 3-meter board with his score of 313.73, while also finishing third on the low board with a score of 294.15.
Chase Hays (Austin, Texas / Anderson) and
William Sikes (Pittsboro, N.C. / Woods Charter) just missed out on earning medals in the 200 fly and the 50 free. Sikes was fourth behind Perez in the 200 fly with a time of 2:04.41, and Hays finished the 50 free in 22.23 to earn fourth place as well.
Coach Speak
"The team score doesn't show the success that today was," said Head Coach
Cathleen Pruden. "Our guys raced really hard against some very impressive competition. We were better that last weekend and much, much better than last year at UIW. I'm proud of the work they've done and deserve the rest that is coming their way soon. I can't wait to watch these guys go into battle at the SCAC Championships."
Up Next
Trinity will next compete in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships, held February 14-17 at the Garland ISD Natatorium in Garland, Texas.
