Men's Swim team finishes third at season-opening Kenyon Relays

By Tim Glon

GAMBIER — The Ohio Northern men's swim team finished third of seven teams at the season-opening Kenyon Relays Saturday afternoon at the Kenyon Athletic Center.

The Polar Bears finished with 56 points as a team.

The top finishing relay team for each school scored points in the team standings. Each team could enter as many teams as they wished.

ONU's divers did not compete in the meet.

Freshman Eric Chen made his collegiate debut a special one, leading Ohio Northern by swimming on six of its eight top relay teams.

He was part of the 200 medley relay team that was fifth overall in 1:38.62, was on the 200 back relay team that was fifth in 1:40.50, was on the 500 crescendo relay team that was ninth in 4:19.11, was on the 200 fly relay team that was sixth in 1:37.40, was on the 400 I.M. relay team that was eighth in 3:48.10 and was on the 200 free relay teams that was fourth in 1:27.60.

"We were proud to be invited to this meet, and it was great to challenge ourselves in the water with some of the nation's top talent," ONU head coach Peggy Ewald said. "It was important to have our eyes opened to that elite level this early in the season."

Senior Jordan Breitigam, junior Brian Heilbronner and sophomore Connor Wood were on three top relay teams each.

Kenyon won the meet with 120 points, Denison was second with 116 and Wooster was fourth with 48 points.

The Polar Bears will open the Ohio Athletic Conference portion of their schedule on Saturday at 1 pm against John Carroll at the ONU Sports Center.