(BEREA, Ohio) - The Wilmington College men's swimming team opened up their 2023-24 season this afternoon in Berea, Ohio taking on the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets. The Quakers fell 118-83 in the dual.
Senior Cameron Bolen led the charge for the Quakers in the pool, winning three events in the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke. He won the 50 free with a time of 21.57, which is a new BW Natatorium record. He bested Baldwin Wallace's Mason Kooyman by a full second in the 100 free, with a time of 48.81, including a 23.32 in his first lap. Bolen took the 100 breast by over five seconds, racing to a time of 1:00.76, with a first lap of 28.53.
Sophomore Sondre Haugen also had a solid day for the Quakers. He won the 200 free by over two seconds with a time of 1:46.87, with his first lap being his quickest at 24.48 seconds. Haugen was also the runner-up in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 54.26, as the winner finished in 53.06. Haugen led after the first lap, but could't hold off the Yellow Jackets Tommie McQueary. Haugen was a part of the winning 200 yard freestyle team along with Nick Kaufman, John Good and Joakim Pedersen. The team finished in 1:30.54, followed by Baldwin Wallace's 'A' team at 1:32.23.
Pedersen also finished second in the 200 IM at 2:05.24 and the 100 backstroke at 56.50.
Head coach Trip Breen had this to say about his team's day, "It was great having the opportunity to compete again. It was fun watching the team race. We are definitely a little rusty, but this was a starting point and gave us a better idea of what we need to focus on as we continue to train."
What's Up Next
The Quakers get right back to work on Friday night in their home-opener at the Wilmington Natatorium at 6:00 P.M. against Ohio Northern University.
