MACOMB, Ill. - On a day where 25 Fighting Leatherneck student-athletes celebrated their accomplishemnts in the classroom, there was one athletic competition on the slate. Western Illinois hosted Illinois-Chicago in a dual meet on Saturday afternoon.
The women were defeated 188-72 and the men fell 174-88. The women were led by Shawn Fitzpatrick, Alayna Colley and Brianna Eizenga. Fitzpatrick and Colley both competed in the 200 Yard Medley Relay with the "A" team and finished third with a time of 1:53.59. Fitzpatrick also competed in the 200 Yard Freestyle (2:01.41), the 200 Yard Backstroke (2:15.16), 100 Yard Butterfly (1:04.22) and the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay with Colley as well which they won with a time of 3:57.02 with the help of Jamie Grau and Allison Calewarts. In addition to those relays, Colley also competed in the 100 Yard Backstroke (1:01.95) and the 100 Yard Freestyle (57.28).
Eizenga won the 200 Yard IM with a time of 2:26.31. She also swam in the 200 Yard Medley Relay - "B" team (2:02.72), the 1000 Yard Freestyle (11:44.76) and the 500 Yard Freestyle Relay (5:37.96).
The men's results were highlighted by four very strong swims involving junior Brandon Wilkinson. Wilkinson teamed up with Conor Ozog, Phil Kurz and Mike Regan to win the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay with a time of 3:26.42. He tooke first place in the 100 Yard Backstroke (1:02.26) and the 200 Yard Breastroke (2:17.67). Wilkinson also swam the second leg of the 200 Yard Medley Relay which finished third in 1:42.48.
"It was a great meet for our team. We had lots of swims that are fast for this time of the year," said head coach Greg Naumann.
"They were close to what they did at the TYR CollegeSwimming.com Invite two weeks ago. After studying for finals this week, I know that its been a tough for the team since they have been up late studying for finals and having to deal with the stress that comes from this time of the semester."
Western Illinois will be back in action at Brophy Hall on Jan. 15 when Eastern Illinois University visits Macomb.
