KENOSHA, Wis. – Carroll University swim and dive wrapped up a competitive three-day Carthage Classic with standout swims, lifetime bests, and scoring relays against a deep regional field. The Pioneers finished sixth in both team standings, with the women scoring 311 points and the men totaling 143.
Women's Recap
Carroll's women opened Thursday with an eighth-place finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay (8:21.20) behind strong splits from Natalie Oldenburg, Kelly Gordon, Erin Fixen, and Kendal Richard. The B-relay also competed, clocking 8:58.28 for 11th. Relays continued to shine throughout the weekend, including a 7th-place finish in the 200 free relay (1:45.43) and 11th in the 400 medley relay (4:24.22), with contributions from Oldenburg, Carigan Tabor, Fixen, and Richard. Carroll also scored in the 400 free relay, placing 10th (3:53.09) with Sharpe, Tabor, Gordon, and Fixen.
Distance events were a major strength. Carigan Tabor led the way in the 1650 freestyle, finishing 10th in 19:17.63, followed by Erin Fixen (19:36.36) and Skyler Sanderson (20:45.89). Gordon added a season-best 5:34.24 in the 500 free, placing 12th, while Tabor returned for 18th in the same event.
In backstroke, Morgan Toupal earned an A-final in the 100 back, finishing ninth in 1:04.41, and paired with Natalie Oldenburg for top-15 finishes in the 200 back (Oldenburg 11th in 2:20.43, Toupal 14th in 2:21.39). Erin Fixen led the butterfly group with a 14th-place finish in the 100 fly (1:04.03), while Gordon and others added depth in prelims.
Men's Recap
The men's team opened Thursday with a 9th-place finish in the 800 free relay (7:39.75), featuring strong legs from Jacob Rossi, Gavin Buechel, Ben Miles, and Jonah Lotegeluaki. The B-relay added a 10th-place finish (8:05.76). Relays continued to score, including the 200 free relay (10th, 1:31.49) and 400 medley relay (13th), where Thomas Rynne led off in 57.98, followed by Rossi (1:02.86 breast), Buechel (55.10 fly), and Lotegeluaki (50.49 free).
Distance swimmers delivered lifetime bests. Mannon Stern posted 19:09.10 in the 1650 free, while Rossi and Stern added strong 500 free swims in prelims. Gavin Buechel also competed in the 200 IM and butterfly events, adding versatility to the lineup.
In backstroke, Thomas Rynne placed 11th in the 200 back (2:04.53) and contributed key relay splits. Rossi advanced to the B-final in the 50 free (22.60) and anchored multiple relays, while Lotegeluaki and Buechel added depth in sprint and fly events.
Carroll returns to action in Dubuque, Iowa to take on Loras College on January 10th as they will be looking to build on momentum from multiple season and lifetime bests.
