BUFFALO, N.Y. - - The Ball State men's and women's swimming and diving teams both scored 137 points but suffered defeats Saturday afternoon at Mid-American Conference opponent Buffalo as the men's team (0-1, 0-1 MAC) lost its first meet, 158-137, and the women's team (1-3, 1-3 MAC) fell, 161-137.
Despite the losses, the men's and women's teams combined for 11 event wins with seven coming from the men's squad and four earned by the women's team.
The men's team was led by sophomores Chris Krupa (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike H.S.) and Gavin McNeeley (North Manchester, Ind./Manchester H.S.), who each chipped in 17 and 13 points, respectively. Krupa won the 200-yard butterfly (1:58.40) while also finishing second in the 100 fly (52.46) and the 200-yard IM (2:03.51). McNeely came away victorious in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.05) while notching a second-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:13.30).
Seniors Austin Laska (Palos Park, Ill./A.A. Stagg H.S.) and Ben Battjes (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart H.S.) provided a one-two punch, claiming first (21.25) and second (21.43) in the 50-yard freestyle, respectively. The duo also helped the 400-yard freestyle relay team place first (3:13.10) along with sophomore Casey Schroeder (Williamsport, Ind./Seeger Memorial H.S.) and freshman Devon Hill (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central H.S.).
Also coming away with event wins for the men's team were senior Ben Karwoski (Bluffton, Ind./Bluffton H.S.), junior Jeremy Whited (Richmond, Ind./Richmond H.S.), and sophomore Andrew Hostetler (Vincennes, Ind./Jasper H.S.). Karwoski was victorious in the 500-yard freestyle (4:51.98) while Whited registered a win in the three-meter dive (220.50) and Hostetler won the 200-yard IM (2:02.14).
For the women's team, junior Maria Gramelspacher (Jasper, Ind./Jasper H.S.) played a role in two of its event wins. Individually, Gramelspacher won the 200-yard butterfly clocking a time of 2:08.77. Gramelspacher, along with junior Joan Cullen (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West H.S.), sophomore Nicole Saulters (Highland, Ind./Highland H.S.), and freshman Jillian Bischoff (Atlanta, Ind./Hamilton Heights H.S.), helped the 400-yard freestyle relay team (3:37.91) come away with a win.
Earning 16 points for the Cardinals was senior Emily Karwoski (Zionsville, Ind./North Central H.S.), who tallied a win in the 400-yard IM (4:43.09) and placed second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:08.13) and third in the 200 breaststroke (2:30.08).
Sophomore Whitney Adams (Danville, Ind./Danville H.S.) recorded a victory on the three-meter diving board with a score of 237.60.
The men's and women's squad both return to the water next weekend when they head to Indianapolis, Ind. to compete in the IUPUI House of Champions Friday and Saturday.
Courtesy: BSU Photo Services
