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Final Results (PDF)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois men's and women's swimming opened the home portion of the season with 11 first place finishes, as the Panthers hosted Midwest rival Ball State on Friday (Oct. 7) evening at the Ray Padovan Pool.
 
"It was great to look up in the stands and see a sea of blue today," said first year Panther coach Jacqueline Michalski.  "Want to thank all the parents, alumni and students for coming out and supporting EIU swimming.

"Sweeping the men's 200-IM was a definite highlight of the meet," she added, "and doing so behind some impressive times was also nice to see."
 
A trio of Panther gents all nabbed a pair of first place marks, as sophomore Harris Thompson won both the 500 (4:48.70) and 1000-Frees (9:59.67), while classmate Brogan O'Doherty touched first the 100 (52.66) and 200-Back (1:57.57) races, and freshman Steve Fishman came in first in both the 200-Free (1:45.06) and again in the 200-IM (2:01.36).
 
Joining Fishman in the sweep of the 200-IM were Dylan Ferguson and Ashton Pollick, as each captured respective second and third place marks.
 
"Pollick had a great meet," Michalski said.  "He improved his time from his first meet of the season, while also joining the 200-IM sweep."
 
The EIU ladies, meanwhile, were led by first place tallies by junior Kaylee Morris in both her 50 (24.61) and 100-Free (54.01) events, as did freshman Amy Smith in both her 100 (1:00.21) and 200-Back (2:09.93) races, while sophomore Paige Eavenson also out-paced the competition in the 200-Fly (2:19.25).
 
"A stand out on the ladies side was freshman Smith winning both her backstroke races," said Michalski.  "She is really coming along in both of those events.
 
"Morris also stood out tonight," continued Michalski, "as she just continues to do well.  Plus Paige (Eavenson) shined in her 200-Fly, coming from behind for the huge win. The 200 fly is a tough event to finish strong in, yet she did very well tonight."
 
Additional second place finishers for the guys included Matt Jacobs in both the 100 and 200-Breast, Pollick in his 200-Fly and Stephen Truchon in the 100-Fly.  Meanwhile, a pair of EIU foursomes also garnered runner-up honors in both the 200-Medley and 200-Free Relays races.
 
For the women, Kelsey Ferguson touched second in both her 100 and 200-Breast races, as well as the 200-IM.  While an EIU unit also finished as runner-ups in the 200-Free Relay event.
 
Team-wise, the Panther men fell to the Cardinals (1-0) by a 151-111 team score, while the Eastern women also lost to BSU (1-2) via the 165-97 final point tally.
 
Both Eastern squads will now prepare for next their next home event on Saturday, November 15, as the Panthers are set to entertain Valparaiso at 11 a.m.
 
... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID