LANCASTER, Pa. – The Ursinus College men's swimming team rode the combined efforts of Jacob Menzer and Michael Prior to a thrilling Centennial Conference victory at Franklin & Marshall on Saturday, edging past Franklin & Marshall for a 134.5-127.5 decision.
Menzer was a triple winner and Prior a double winner for the Bears (7-3, 3-2), who got just enough points from a few select events to overcome the Diplomats taking first place in eight of the 14 races on the afternoon.
In a meet in which every point mattered, it was Ursinus' overwhelming dominance in the distance freestyle events that carried it to a hard-earned result. The Bears went 1-2-3 in both the 500 free and the 1000 free, giving them 16 unanswered points in both.
Sophomore Daniel Powell claimed top position in the 1000 free, touching the wall in 10:14.13 to outdistance a pair of teammates in junior Kevin Gill (10:18.44) and senior Christopher Barthold (10:23.60) in a clean sweep.
Menzer followed with the first of his triumvirate of wins, grabbing first place in the 200 free with a 1:43.66 that was just four tenths off his season best. Sophomore Casey Lear took third in 1:46.74.
Prior made it three in a row for Ursinus with a first-place swim in the 100 back, clocking in at 53.71.
The Diplomats collected four straight first-place performances, but Ursinus managed to bank enough points during that stretch to stay close. Junior Maxwell Coulter was second in the 100 breast (1:01.58), while senior Colin McNamara (2:00.17), junior Johnathan Myers (2:02.23), and junior James Callaghan (2:02.30) finished 2-3-4 in the 200 fly. Lear took third in the 50 free (22.02), just ahead of junior Travis Venables (22.04).
Prior registered a new personal best in the 200 back, touching in 1:54.49 to claim first place and move into third on the CC performance list.
After Coulter placed second in the 200 breast (2:18.54), the Bears posted their second 1-2-3 sweep at the perfect time. Menzer led the way with a 4:55.30 in the 500 free, where he was followed by Barthold (5:01.14) and Gill (5:01.25) in a tight bunch.
McNamara tied for second in the 100 fly (54.28) before Menzer won the 200 IM in a season-best 1:58.70. Prior placed third in 2:01.83.
Menzer's last victory gave the Bears enough breathing room to survive a first-place showing from F&M in the 400 free relay, the last event of the day.
The Bears close out their dual meet season by hosting Washington College on Saturday, February 3. The meet will serve as Senior Day for Ursinus.
