STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – January 13, 2024 – Following nearly a two-month layoff from competition, the Hiram men's and women's swimming teams returned to the pool for a busy day against Washington & Jefferson and Franciscan.

The men's team prevailed against W&J (168-91) and improved to 5-1 this season, while the women's team lost to W&J (140-88) and Franciscan (159-97) to move to 3-4.

Men's Recap

Sophomore Owen Pastorius started the day on a high note, cruising his way to a first-place finish in the 1,650-yard freestyle (18:37.29). Another underclassman, freshman David Slovenkay, kept the momentum going in the right direction with a win in the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.64).

Then came the veteran swimmers: senior Gabe Farthing won the 200-yard butterfly (2:23.26) and junior Dayne Sauter proved to be victorious in the 50-yard freestyle (22.94) and 100-yard freestyle (50.91). Pastorius would later get back in the win column in the 500-yard freestyle (5:19.19). In the 400-yard IM, freshman Adam Johnson placed first with a time of 4:43.82.

Rounding out the winning effort was the relay team of Sauter, Slovenkay Jon Hybil and Nathan Ratynski in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:34.65).

Women's Recap

Senior Moraine Jackson placed third in the 200-yard freestyle, racing hard to a time of 2:16.45. She landed just behind the second-place finisher in the race (2:16.15).

First-year Haven Papineau also was right around the front of the pack, landing third out of seven student-athletes in the 100-yard backstroke (1:08.35). Senior Elena Rinaldi then placed second in the 200-yard butterfly (2:48:08).

Jackson finished a split-second behind the winner in the 50-yard freestyle (27.86), posting a time of 28.19. Papineau posted another strong effort in the 100-yard freestyle (1:03.03) and junior Natalie Brown did the same in the 500-yard freestyle (6:17.84).

Finishing off the tri-meet was Papineau, Rinaldi, Jackson and Brown in the 200-yard freestyle relay, a group that finished third with a time of 1:58.00.

What's Next

Both teams will be in action on Saturday, when they travel to Canton, Ohio for a tri-meet with Malone University and Notre Dame College beginning at 1 p.m. inside Branin Natatorium.