The Ball State men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams earned wins Saturday afternoon at Lewellen Aquatics Center against Eastern Illinois. The men defeated Eastern Illinois 148-75, while the women downed the Panthers 164-62.
Ball State earned 23 event victories on the day. Jordan VanWinkle, Quinn Bixler, Jake Brehmer and Michael Oaks all earned two individual event wins. There were 13 season bests for the Cardinals as well.
The meet started off with both 400 medley relays earning wins for Ball State. Mallory Miles, Bridgette Ruehl, Haley Richter and Carlena Magley combined for a 3:52.07 while Drew Sullenbarger, Conner Snare, Drew Tharp and Cole Smith turned in a season-best 3:36.31.
Jordan VanWinkle earned a win in the 1000 free with a 10:42.72; it was her first time swimming the event this season. She was followed by Leighann Mattson with a season-best 10:54.76 and Genevieve Hayes with a 10:59.05 to complete the Cardinals sweep of the event.
Senior Cheyanne Jackson earned the top spot in the 200 free with a season-best time of 1:57.14. She was followed by Carlena Magley and Kayla Hussey who finished second and third with times of 1:49.21 and 1:53.25. Senior Michael Oaks turned in a 1:46.92 to touch first followed by Neal Fennig and Logan Kisinger with times of 1:49.21 and 1:53.25 for second and fifth place.
Ball State swept the 50 free with Haley Richter clocking a 23.76 and Cole Smith touching at 21.70. Audrey Rodawig and Austin Green both came in second with times of 24.75 and 22.25. Elaine Pitsas clocked a 25.46 while Nick Rodriguez finished with a 22.83.
In the 200 IM, Bridgette Ruehl and Tanner Barton both finished with season-best times. Ruehl turned in a 2:13.10 while Barton came in a 2:00.77. Kimberly Scott finished with a 2:13.81 for second place followed by Larah Beaver with a 2:20.78 in fourth. Conner Snare touched at 2:05.83 for fourth while Jacob Eckert finished with a 2:06.16 for sixth.
In the diving competition, Quinn Bixler finished in first in the 1-meter with a season-best 217.45 followed by Brittany Penn with a 179.85. The win was Bixler’s first collegiate win. Jake Brehmer earned a score of 263.85 for first place.
Following the diving event, Ball State swept the 200 IM. Bridgette Ruehl clocked a season-best 2:13.10 while Tanner Barton also turned in a season-best time of 2:00.77. Kimberly Scott came in second with a 2:13.81 while Larah Beaver touched at 2:20.78. On the men’s side, Conner Snare finished in fourth with 2:05.83 followed by Jacob Eckert with a 2:06.16.
Freshman Katie Horn captured a win in the 200 fly with a 2:09.95 while Drew Tharp took home a win for the men with a 1:55.30. Kayla Hussey and Allie Kolz finished second and third with times of 2:14.19 and 2:16.46, respectively. Tanner Barton and Bradley Ridge followed suit going second and third with times of 1:57.59 and 2:01.04, respectively.
Ball State continued its winning ways in the 100 free with Jordan VanWinkle and Michael Oaks earning wins in the 100 free with times of 54.58 and 47.80. On the women’s side Jessica Extine finished second with a 55.91 while Courtney Mudd rounded out the event with a 56.51. For the men, Austin Green touched second with a 48.68 while Logan Kisinger finished at 49.24 for fourth place.
Senior co-captain Mallory Miles earned a win in the 200 back with a season-best time of 2:07.82 while Drew Sullenbarger also won with a 1:56.57. The women finished second and third with Larah Beaver touching at 2:14.40 and Jackie Iglesias finishing at 2:15.82. For the men, Tucker Hale finished third with a 2:03.64 while Cameron Watters was right behind in fourth with a 2:05.98.
Emily Wisolek captured a victory in the 500 free after posting a time of 5:09.24 Genevieve Hayes finished second with a season-best 5:20.99 and Cheyanne Jackson came in third with a 5:24.42. Andy Lamb was the top finisher on the men’s side coming in second with a 4:56.92. JD Middleton and Neal Fennig were right behind in third and fourth with times of 4:59.14 and 5:02.14.
In the 3-meter diving, Bixler and Brehmer picked up wins with scores of 234.53 and 281.25. Bixler’s mark was a season-best in the event. Brittany Penn ended in second place with a 225.83.
Stacey Wierman came in first in the 200 breast with a season-best time of 2:23.29 followed by Sumaiyah Ahmad with a 2:28.68. Kimberly Scott finished in third place posting a season-best time of 2:33.50. On the men’s side of things, Conner Snare finished second clocking a 2:19.50. Jacob Eckert and Mitch Prather turned in times of 2:24.01 and 2:25.33.
Both 200 free relays took finished the meet on the winning side for Ball State. The relay of Richter, Magley, Rodawig and Pitsas finished in 1:37.54 while the relay of Oaks, Kisinger, Green and Smith clocked a season-best time of 1:25.99.
The teams are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 25 as they head to Ypsilanti, Mich., to take on Eastern Michigan and Ohio State.
