CARLISLE, Pa. – The Ursinus College men's swimming team opened Centennial Conference play with a 123-81 victory at Dickinson on Saturday.
Jacob Menzer was sensational for the Bears (2-0, 1-0), winning two individual races and tying for top prize in another. The junior star easily touched first in the 500 free (4:54.97) and the 1000 free (10:12.25) to help Ursinus top Dickinson in its conference lid-lifter for the third straight season.
The Bears got off to a quick start as sophomore Michael Prior, senior Maxwell Coulter, sophomore Matthew Buccella, and senior Casey Lear claimed the 400 medley relay in 3:38.94.
Menzer followed with his 1000 free triumph. After junior Jared Krawetz and senior Daniel Becker finished second and third in the 200 free, freshman Daniel Mueser spearheaded a 1-2-3 podium sweep on the 50 free. The rookie's time of 22.07 would have been the Bears' third-best mark all of last season. Fellow freshman Ryan Carkhuff (22.37) and senior Travis Venables (22.50) rounded out the top three.
Next came a uniquely dramatic race in the 200 IM, which featured an incredible two ties. Menzer touched at the same time as Dickinson's Ben Shapiro, splitting first place with a clocking of 2:00.06. Prior, remarkably, was tied for third place with Will Freeman at 2:01.32.
Prior came back shortly after that to win the 200 back in 1:58.77, and Menzer polished off his day with a victory in the 500 free.
The Bears closed out the afternoon on a high note as Venables, Krawetz, Mueser, and Carkhuff won the 400 free relay in 3:16.20.
Senior James Callaghan was second in the 200 fly (2:05.18), with Buccella going runner-up in the 100 free (50.41) and rookie Matt Snyder doing so in the 200 breast (2:21.22).
The Bears welcome Swarthmore to Elliott Pool for their home opener next Saturday, November 3.
