WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Wilmington College men's swimming team narrowly fell to the University of Mount Union 144-106 in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) dual meet on Friday evening. The meet was also the final home meet for seniors Lawrence Daya and Frederick Rankin.
"This is the part of the season where your mental state has to carry you through as everyone is a beat beaten up," Head Men's Swimming Coach Trip Breen said. "When you can race like we did today even when you're tired, that gives us a lot to look forward to when we start to rest in a week or so."
Rankin won 2-of-3 individual events he competed in on the evening, claiming victories in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:10.48) and 200-meter IM (2:29.53) along with a runner-up finish in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:40.98). He also teamed up with Daya, Isak Alin and Logan Schroer to win the 200-meter medley relay with a time of 1:55.46.
"Freddie Rankin has swum well for us all season, and I'm excited to see what he can do going forward," said Breen. "To watch our seniors improve over the course of their careers, that's what it's all about for me."
The Fightin' Quakers' other relay team, the 200-meter freestyle relay, squad of Alin, Daya, Mac Warncke and Aaron Polk won their event with a time of 1:45.83.
Wilmington heads to John Carroll University for an OAC dual next weekend before hosting the OAC Swimming & Diving Championships in Akron on Feb. 14-16.
