COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The McMurry University swimming teams closed out day two of the Colorado College Double Dual on Saturday with a win against the University of the Ozarks, held at Schlessman Natatorium in Colorado Springs.
The men secured their second dual win of the meet with a nail-biting finish in the final heat of the day, ending with a 100-89 victory over the Eagles.
"Our War Hawk men continued to bring the excitement from our first night of racing," said McMurry head coach Casey Pacheco. "Their hard work in the pool displayed tonight against a tough Ozarks team."
Looking to carry on the momentum from a day one win against Austin College, the War Hawk men faced an early up-hill battle, starting the day off with a 13-point deficit due to Ozarks diving scores.
With determination fueling the engine, the men went to work in the pool starting with the first relay of the night. McMurry posted a first-place finish in the 400-yard medley with a time of 3:55.48, applying immediate pressure on the Eagles.
To follow up the relay win, freshman Jonathan McInroe tagged in for a first-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:56.64.
A personal victory was celebrated by the War Hawks shortly after as sophomore Brayden Reeves earned his first collegiate win in the 50-yard freestyle by out touching the field by .01. Reeves recorded a 23.99 time to earn his podium finish.
Energized by Reeves hard-fought victory, sophomore standout Terrin Boehmer followed by tacking on more points for McMurry with a first-place finish in the 400-yard individual medley (5:03.06).
Freshman Logan Pritchett had a crucial first place finish in the 100-yard free (52.88) followed by Reeves in second with a time of 53.42 that assisted in keeping the War Hawks neck and neck with the Eagles.
Boehmer went on to earn first place in the 200-yard backstroke in 2:23.85 followed by freshman teammate Isaiah Narvaez who finished second with a time of 2:29.12.
Going into the final relay, the men had a four-point lead, up 89-85 with a final relay in the balance.
Myles Pickens, Isaiah Narvaez, Jonathan McInroe and Eduardo Gonzalez teamed up to compete in the final heat of the day, a race that would ultimately decide who would come out victorious in the end.
With an outstanding first place finish in the 200-yard free relay in 1:35.45, the men would seal the win for McMurry.
On the women's side, much improvement was made over the course of two days.
Despite the Eagles claiming the dual 134-63, Pacheco saw a ton of potential and was pleased with the effort and hardwork the ladies put into the meet as a whole.
"Our ladies continued to build momentum from the previous night," said Pacheco. "They were able to tally multiple personal best times in the 200 events and really persevered over the past two days despite having to swim at altitude and facing multiple obstacles this first semester."
McMurry claimed the first relay of the day, finishing first in the 400-yard relay in 4:44.47.
Freshman Cheyenne Lavender earned a first-place finish in the 200-yard free with a time of 2.13.26.
Junior Kristina Sullivan registered a podium finish in the 500-yard free, tagging in first in 5:45.52.
Sophomore Maddie Smith would also mark notable second place finishes in the 200-yard backstroke (2:36.23) and the 200-breast (3:04.12).
McMurry swimming will be back in action on Jan. 23 at the Centenary Double Duals in Sherman, Texas.
