Contact: Lou Groce, Director of Media and Information, 920-229-8157
GRINNELL, Iowa – The Midwest Conference’s (MWC) nine swimming and diving programs descend upon Grinnell College this weekend for the annual MWC Swimming and Diving Championship at Russell K. Osgood Pool and Deck.
The Lake Forest College team will be gunning for its third straight league crown, while the host Pioneers are the Foresters’ top challenger to bring home the championship trophy. The two programs have combined to win the past 15 league championships.
A Foresters tops the league in all but four individual races. Senior Kris Korth leads the MWC in five individual races heading into the weekend. Korth tops the league in the 500-yard freestyle (4:47.89), 1,000-yard freestyle (10:05.64), 200-yard breaststroke (2:07.77), 200-yard individual medley (1:59.51) and the 400-yard individual medley (4:11.44).
Lake Forest juniors Orion Huey, Sam Freedberg and James Haney are also hoping to make their mark on the meet. Huey has the top times in the MWC in the 50-yard freestyle (21.92), 100-yard backstroke (53.92) and 200-yard backstroke (1:56.40), while Freedberg leads the league in the 100-yard breaststroke (59.56). Distance man James Haney also tops the conference in the 1,650-yard freestyle (16:49.69).
Lake Forest diver Heath Ogawa is currently ranked second in the league behind Grinnell’s Daniel Goldstein and sophomore David Bunting is aiming to take home a blue ribbon in the 200-yard freestyle (1:47.10). The Foresters could also pick up huge chunks of points in the relays as they have the top times in the 400-yard freestyle (3:17.72), 400-yard medley (3:36.94) and 200-yard medley (1:39.18).
Zach Laird, Rhett Lundy and Ian Dixon-Anderson will lead the Grinnell contingent in its attempt to snap Lake Forest’s recent run. Laird has the MWC’s top time in the 200-yard butterfly (1:58.38). Dixon-Anderson ranks second in the 400-yard individual medley (4:11.44), the 1,650-yard freestyle (16:53.49), the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:09.45), and 200-yard backstroke (1:59.35).
Carroll University’s Dylan Coonradt is hoping to take hope the blue ribbon in the 100-yard butterfly (54.16) as he enters the championship with the top time. The Pioneers’ James Kelly also looks to top the podium in the 100-yard freestyle (48.93). The Carroll foursome of Coonradt, Bob Bonanno, Brody Beyer and Kelly could also top the podium in the 200-meter freestyle relay as they have the time to beat (1:28.21).
Ripon College’s Nate Pakosz is the Red Hawks best chance at a medal this weekend as he currently ranks third in the 50-yard freestyle (22.08) and tied for fifth in the 100-yard freestyle (49.29). The Red Hawks Alec Sutton also cracks the top-10 in both events.
Monmouth College should score well in the 1,650-yard freestyle as Sebastian Hernandez and Cristian Corbett have top-10 times. Illinois College will be led by Mike Wisenfelder and Oak Wattanasirakul. Wisenfelder has an opportunity to medal in the 50-yard freestyle, while Wattanasirakul should perform well in the breaststroke events.
Action in Grinnell begins on Friday Feb. 19 at 10:00 a.m. with the second session starting at 5:30 p.m.