Ball State University Athletics
Saturday, October 19
West Lafayette, IN
12:00 PM
Ball State University
at
Indiana Intercollegiate
Cards Claim Second-Place Finishes in Strong Start to 2019
October 19, 2019 | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Ball State University swimming and diving team kicked off its 2019-20 season with both the men and women earning second place finishes at the Indiana Intercollegiates Meet at Purdue University Saturday afternoon.
The women earned 483.5 points to finish second in an 11-team field while the men earned 492.5 points to claim second place in their 10-team field. Full team results can be seen below.
"Our Cardinals started the season strong today," said head coach J. Agnew. "While it is only the first meet of the season, and we have a lot of work ahead, this was another step forward for us and I'm excited to see what this team can do."
Ben Andrew was a bright spot for the Cardinals with wins in both the 100 IM (52.02) and 100 Breast (57.76). The senior captain caught the attention of his head coach with his performance. "Ben showed he is ready to lead this season by taking home those two victories today," Agnew said.
The Cardinals also got a huge win in the women's 200 Free Relay, narrowly outtouching Purdue. A team of Peighton Gilbert, Apsara Sakbun, Alexa McDonald and Anne Vormohr clocked in at 1:36.22 with the Boilermakers a split-second behind at 1:36.28. Agnew described the finish as, "the most exciting race of the day."
Diving coach Nick Gayes was impressed with his squad's first performance of the season. Rachel Bertram led the way by scoring a 306.10 on the 3M, a career best and the fourth-best score in Ball State history.
"It was a good start to the season for us," Gayes said. "There were some nerves, which is to be expected, but overall I was pleased with what I saw. Rachel was particularly solid on the 3M. She was consistent today, which is what we have really been working on."
Bertram wasn't the only diver with a big day. Hunter Ongay earned a first-place finish on the 1M board with a score of 255.75. He also claimed third on the 3M. Freshman Wyatt Blake was right behind him on the 1M with a score of 240.90 in his BSU debut. Caitlin Locante recorded a 236.10 on the 3M to place second behind Bertram.
Ball State added several top-three finishes and fast times, which can be viewed here (PDF).
The next scheduled meet for Ball State is for the women on Friday, October 25 at Youngstown State. They also swim the very next night at Buffalo. The men are in action next at Eastern Illinois on November 1 along with the women. The first home meet for the Cardinals is November 2.
For all the latest on Ball State swimming and diving, follow @BallStateSwim on Twitter and visit BallStateSports.com.
Women - Team Rankings
1. Purdue University 802
2. Ball State University 483.5
3. Franklin College 146
4. Butler University 141
5. DePauw University 110.5
6. Valparaiso University 100
7. Rose-Hulman Institute of Techn 68
8. Bethel University - Indiana 49
9. Indiana Wesleyan University 44
10. Anderson University 40
11. Manchester Spartans 31
Men - Team Rankings
1. Purdue University 661.5
2. Ball State University 492.5
3. Wabash College 173
4. Rose-Hulman Institute of Techn 140
5. Franklin College 134
6. Valparaiso University 106
7. DePauw University 84
8. Anderson University 48
9. Bethel University - Indiana 46
10. Manchester Spartans 9
The women earned 483.5 points to finish second in an 11-team field while the men earned 492.5 points to claim second place in their 10-team field. Full team results can be seen below.
"Our Cardinals started the season strong today," said head coach J. Agnew. "While it is only the first meet of the season, and we have a lot of work ahead, this was another step forward for us and I'm excited to see what this team can do."
Ben Andrew was a bright spot for the Cardinals with wins in both the 100 IM (52.02) and 100 Breast (57.76). The senior captain caught the attention of his head coach with his performance. "Ben showed he is ready to lead this season by taking home those two victories today," Agnew said.
The Cardinals also got a huge win in the women's 200 Free Relay, narrowly outtouching Purdue. A team of Peighton Gilbert, Apsara Sakbun, Alexa McDonald and Anne Vormohr clocked in at 1:36.22 with the Boilermakers a split-second behind at 1:36.28. Agnew described the finish as, "the most exciting race of the day."
Diving coach Nick Gayes was impressed with his squad's first performance of the season. Rachel Bertram led the way by scoring a 306.10 on the 3M, a career best and the fourth-best score in Ball State history.
"It was a good start to the season for us," Gayes said. "There were some nerves, which is to be expected, but overall I was pleased with what I saw. Rachel was particularly solid on the 3M. She was consistent today, which is what we have really been working on."
Bertram wasn't the only diver with a big day. Hunter Ongay earned a first-place finish on the 1M board with a score of 255.75. He also claimed third on the 3M. Freshman Wyatt Blake was right behind him on the 1M with a score of 240.90 in his BSU debut. Caitlin Locante recorded a 236.10 on the 3M to place second behind Bertram.
Ball State added several top-three finishes and fast times, which can be viewed here (PDF).
The next scheduled meet for Ball State is for the women on Friday, October 25 at Youngstown State. They also swim the very next night at Buffalo. The men are in action next at Eastern Illinois on November 1 along with the women. The first home meet for the Cardinals is November 2.
For all the latest on Ball State swimming and diving, follow @BallStateSwim on Twitter and visit BallStateSports.com.
Women - Team Rankings
1. Purdue University 802
2. Ball State University 483.5
3. Franklin College 146
4. Butler University 141
5. DePauw University 110.5
6. Valparaiso University 100
7. Rose-Hulman Institute of Techn 68
8. Bethel University - Indiana 49
9. Indiana Wesleyan University 44
10. Anderson University 40
11. Manchester Spartans 31
Men - Team Rankings
1. Purdue University 661.5
2. Ball State University 492.5
3. Wabash College 173
4. Rose-Hulman Institute of Techn 140
5. Franklin College 134
6. Valparaiso University 106
7. DePauw University 84
8. Anderson University 48
9. Bethel University - Indiana 46
10. Manchester Spartans 9
Players Mentioned
Fly, Breast, IM
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Dive
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Free, Breast
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Dive
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Free, Back
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free, Back
/ Women's Swimming and DivingSports Link: National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Wednesday, February 25
Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day // Produced by Ball State Sports Link
Wednesday, February 04
Sports Link: Zach Shaddy (Diving)
Tuesday, January 13
Sports Link: Hungry To Win (Malcolm Slater)
Thursday, January 08