Swimming, diving dominate at home

Senior Joel Demuth took two events Saturday as the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams beat Valparaiso at home. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams crushed the Crusaders Saturday at the UIC Natatorium.

The men defeated Horizon League opponent Valparaiso, 160-69, and women won, 145-81.

Before the meet, Joel Demuth, Josh Jacobson, Conor Ozog, Brian Sivak, Kristi Carling, Alisa Penkala, Monica Pinkus and Melanie Waszak were honored as part of senior day.

“It’s nice to send them out with victories,” head coach Paul Moniak said.

The men’s squad (4-6, 2-3 Horizon League) showed no weakness. Peter Errichiello, Brayden Amendola, Vince Errichiello and Nick Kowaleski won the 400 medley (3:29.47).

Sophomore Ryota Kuwahara wowed in the 1650 freestyle (16:43.20) and 200 butterfly (1:56.85). John Mordach (1:45.99) and Kei Ishimaru (1:46.32) were top finishers in the 200 free.

Demuth was untouchable in the 50 free (21.31), while Vince Errichiello took second in 21.77. Demuth also won the 100 free (46.69), as Kowaleski placed second (47.71).

Sophomore Christian Grobe finished first in the 400 individual medley (4:11.94). Rodolfo Zuniga flew through the 500 free (4:52.51).

Zach McClernon and Peter Errichiello dominated the 200 backstroke, placing first and second.

Sophomore diver Mark Ciesielski stunned on the 3-meter board with a final score of 309.23.

To end the meet, the 400 free relay team of Demuth, Jacobson, Ozog and Mordach placed first (3:14.06).

The women’s squad (4-6, 2-3 Horizon League) opened strong as Jocelyn Langballe, Gisun Pak, Anne Jacobsen and Katherine Hare sped through the 400 medley relay (4:05.90).

Veronica Gibson and Sara Pardue had the one-two finish in the 1650 free with times of 17:52.20 and 18.55.50. Gibson also took the 500 free (5:16.34).

Kelsey Millin won the 200 free (2:02.46), as Langballe finished close behind (2:04.02).

Pinkus took the 50 free (24.77), while Erin Sivak’s time of 25.83 secured a second-place finish.

Pak finished first in the 400 individual medley (4:49.00) and 200 breast (2:29.14), with Penkala taking second in both.

Langballe and Hare took first (2:11.26) and second (2:17.18) in the 200 back.

Junior diver Whitney Johnson was top scorer on the 1-meter board with a final score of 285.75, an NCAA Zone score, and the 3-meter board (273.30)

Sivak, Millin, Jacobsen and Hare sped through the 400 free relay with a time of 3:42.23.

The teams host the UIC Diving Invitational 10 a.m. Saturday at the UIC Natatorium.