Raiders work on shaving time

WILLIAMSBURG -- The Raiders opened the swimming season Nov. 27 with a home duel, losing to Grinnell 92-76.

“Our two para swimmers, Nathaniel Crow and James Duncan had great first-season swims with personal best times,” said swim coach Jan Severns.

Crow competed in the 200-meter freestyle and the 100-meter back stroke. Duncan swam the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyles.

Henry Davison also recorded a personal best in the 200 freestyle and the 100 breast stroke. Calvin Monohon beat his own best time in the 200 individual medley, and Brody Hawk had his best times in the 200 individual medley and the 100 back stroke, the coach said.

Cole Iburg had his best time in the 50 freestyle and the 100 breast strock, and Nolan Hamerlinck in the 100 fly.

In the 50 and 100 freestyles, the freshmen, Bo bray, Tyler Warren, Cameron Schulte and Charlie Koons, “did outstanding with all recording personal bests,” said Severns.

The Raiders placed sixth in both the four-man relays and the two-man relays in the Boone Toreador Relays Dec. 2, said Severns.

Nathaniel Crow and James Duncan showcased the first ever two-man relay in Iowa Swimming and turned in very strong performances in both the 2-by-50 free and the 2-by-100, Severns said.

“It was amazing to watch. Great teamwork and performances throughout the meet.”

Saturday the Raiders traveled to the Tiger Invitational in Grinnell, placing ninth overall.

The varsity 200 freestyle relay team -- Hamerlinck, Patrick, Mononhon and Andrew Hawk -- had a season best time, Severns said.

Cameron Schulte smashed the 200 freestyle, dropping 31 seconds. Monohon dropped two seconds in the individual medley, and Andrew Hawk dropped below 26 seconds for the first time in his career in the 50 freestyle, his coach said.

Ben Eschen turned in “a great performance” in his first ever 200 individual medley, said Severns. Freshmen Brevin Zirkel joined fellow freshmen Warren, Schulte and Koons with season bests in the 50 freestlye

Warren and Schulte also bested their previous times in the 100 freestyle.