WHEELING, West Virginia - January 27, 2024 - The Hiram men's and women's swimming teams added to their historic seasons on Saturday afternoon, picking up three wins in a tri-meet with Wheeling and Bethany.

The men won against both opponents (222-11 vs Bethany | 148-111 vs Wheeling) to tie its most wins in a season in program history, while the women took down Bethany (157-70) and lost to Wheeling (172-79).

The two teams have combined for 16 wins this season, which extends a program record.

Men's Recap

After beating Heidelberg on Friday evening, the men's team returned to competition with even more to prove. Owen Pastorius placed first in the 1000-yard freestyle (10:56.33) and Jon Hybil won the 50-yard breaststroke (30.20) to score the team some big points early on.

Dayne Sauter, who set the Alumni Memorial Pool record in the 100-meter freestyle on Friday, dove back into action with a first-place time in the 100-yard freestyle (50.91). Adam Johnson replicated that success in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:26.31) and Pastorius won the 500-yard freestyle (5:18.94) to give Hiram some breathing room against both of its opposing teams.

Wrapping up the day was the winning 200-yard freestyle relay team of Sauter, David Slovenkay, Hybil and Ethan O'Malley (1:32.22).

Women's Recap

First-year Haven Papineau placed second in the 50-yard backstroke (32.03) and Elena Rinaldi was near the front of the pack in the 200-yard butterfly (2:48.74) to give Hiram a quick boost. 

Moraine Jackson would then come through in the 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke, finishing second in both events with times of 28.34 and 2:38.14 respectively. Rinaldi kept it going with a mark of 29.88 in the 50-yard butterfly and 2:44.05 in the 200-yard IM.

One of the best results of the day came in the 200-yard freestyle relay; the team of Avery Clay, Papineau, Rinaldi and Jackson finished within two seconds of its Division II competition with a mark of 1:53.80.

What's Next

Both teams will return to NCAC competition next Saturday, when they head to Wooster, Ohio for a tri-meet with Wooster and Oberlin beginning at 10 a.m. inside Timken Natatorium.