The Ball State men’s swimming and diving team began its 2016-17 season with the annual Red and White meet at Lewellen Aquatics Center Saturday afternoon.
Team captain Tanner Barton guided the White Team to a win over the Red Team, which was led by team captain Jacob Eckert. The White Team scored 100 points while the Red Team had 96.
Senior Tanner Barton placed first in the 100 butterfly and second in the 500 freestyle. He was also a part of the first place finish of the 200 medley relay along with Ben Andrew, Chase Jackson and Zach Reichle. Barton, along withLogan Ackley, Ben Andrew and Banistre Lienhart, placed first in the 400 freestyle relay to help secure the win for the White Team.
Senior Austin Green also had a great start to his last collegiate season finishing first in the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle. Green was also part of the first place finish in the 200 freestyle relay and part of the second place finish in the 200 medley relay.
Other top finishers on the day were freshman Logan Ackley in the 200 IM, freshman Chase Jackson in the 100 backstroke, sophomore Luke Nondorf in the 100 breaststroke and junior Isaac Walling in the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle.
On the diving board for the White Team were sophomore Lane Sawyer and sophomore Gabe Dean. Representing the Red Team on the board was junior Jeremy Taylor.
Coach Bob Thomas, entering his 38th season, was excited to see the energy of the squad during the meet.
“It’s been a short fall for us so far,” said Thomas. “This is the earliest we have done our intrasquad meet in the last four or five years, but they have been very competitive today.”
“The freshmen stepped up today and I am very excited to see the youth continue through the season,” added Thomas. “The upperclassmen definitely know what to do to get ready and with that combination of youth with experience it looks like it’s going to be a good year.”
The Cardinals begin regular season action on Saturday, Oct. 22 for the Indiana Intercollegiate meet in West Lafayette, Ind.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State women’s swimming and diving team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateMSwim.
Courtesy of Ball State Athletics
