Ashland University's men's swimming and diving team won the Malone Invitational on Saturday (Nov. 16).
Ashland's women finished second in their field of eight teams with a final score of 1,019. The men were first in a seven-team field, winning by just 11 points (983.50) over Malone (972.50).
In men's action, sophomore Franci Aleksi was the only Ashland swimmer to win his event, the 500-yard freestyle (4:46.95), and finished second in the 200 free (1:46.57).
A host of Eagles just missed the top spot in their event, but finished in second and racked up points that lead to the win.
In the 200 medley relay, freshmen Josh Dempsey, Will Stuart, Amar Sapcanin, and Vince Stevens finished second (1:37.96). Sapcanin missed first place in the 50 breaststroke by .01 of a second, finishing in 27.26. He also finished second in the 200 breastroke (2:07.71) and 200-yard butterfly (1:59.17). Stuart was second in the 100 fly (53.12) as the freshmen continued to find success in the competition. In the 50 free, Stevens and sophomore Panos Nikakis went No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in 21.71 and 22.58. Dempsey was second in the 50 fly (24.35), and sophomore Matt Filsinger was second in the 200 backstroke (2:00.84) to round out the competition.
In women's action, a host of Eagles won their events.
Sophomore Abigail Ellsworth won the 200 free (1:59.16), freshman Sydney Kermath won the 50 back (28.69) and finished second in the 200 back (2:15.24), freshman Makayla Tarkenton was first in the 200 back (2:31.34) just ahead of teammate freshman Abby Locke in second (2:32.08), and was second in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.38). Junior Jessica Zaper was first in the 50 free (24.88) and the 100 breaststroke (1:08.47), sophomore Michaela Godfrey won the 100 back (1:00.82) and the 200 back (2:12.71), and sophomore Morgan Gardner won the 200 fly (2:24.99).
The women's 200 medley relay team consisting of Godfrey, Tarkenton, Zaper and junior Maura Delaney finished second (1:54.18). The 200 free relay was also second (1:43.31), and was made up of Zaper, Delaney, freshman Gabby Bess, and junior Marissa Kassinger.
Zaper tallied two other high finishes - second in the 200 individual medley (2:16.13) and second in the 100 medley (1:01.60) . Ellsworth was second in the 100 fly (1:01.52).
The Eagles will aim to build on their weekend on Friday (Nov. 22) at the Oberlin Invitational.
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