IOWA CITY, Iowa. - Fighting Leatherneck swimming & diving concluded regular season action on Friday (Feb. 7) against Big Ten member Iowa. The Leatherneck men fell to the Hawkeyes, 120-94, while the Western women fell 123-83 during competition.

Overall Western recorded 12 season-highs individually between the men and women. The Leathernecks also saw 14 swimmers improve on their times in the same events they swam a year ago in Iowa City. 

On the women's side Megan Popp notched a pair of second-place finishes in the 200-free (2:04.34) and the 500-free (5:23.81). Also recording runner-up finishes were Lizzie Hollopeter (100-IM), Darcy Arendt (50-Free), Emily Highlander (50-fly), Kelsey Kirchhoefer (100-free), Mary Betsworth (50-back) and Sarah Rosenhauer (50-breast).

Julia Rassmussen (243.60) and Melanie Pearson (221.32) each recorded season-best scores on the boards for the Western women. 

Eight separate Leatherneck men also notched second-place finishes during competition in the pool: Kevin Arakaki (200-free), Chris Neaveill (100-IM), Tyler Neaveill (50-free), Dylon Rykosky (100-free), Jonathan Bond (50-back), Matt Abercrombie (500-free), Chris Allen (50-fly) and JD Furr (50-breast). 

"We had some pretty good swims mixed in throughout the meet. My main focus for the meet was to help solidify some relay spots at conference, and some were confirmed, others were not," head coach Greg Naumann said. "We are gaining more energy individually everyday, which will be a great sign for conference. Iowa is obviously a very tough opponent, and we had to do a lot of racing against each other and the clock. Competing against opponents like this does make it easier to handle the challenges we will see at conference."

The Leathernecks now turn their attention to The Summit League Championships, which begin on February 19 in Indianapolis, Ind.