Divers Save the Day

Friday, January 8

Riverside, Calif.

2:00 PM

California Baptist University

128

115

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps

Photo by: Jacob Gonzalez

1/8/2016 6:06:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Despite there being some rust from the Christmas break, California Baptist University remained undefeated in events where team scores are kept in a non-conference victory over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Friday.

The big difference came on the diving board of the Lancers, as their trio swept the top-three spots on both the one and three-meter boards. Those points proved precious in a narrow 128-115 victory over the Stags, as CBU improved to 3-0 in duals this season.

"They have really strong relays and some really strong swimmers," Coach Rick Rowland said. "They're a very highly ranked team in Division III and they came to race today.

"Dive saved the day, without the diving points we wouldn't have won. We went one, two, three in a couple events, including both boards, and that was a huge swing for us."

Zach Parry and Zach Mullins each won a board, with Mullins claiming the one-meter with 489.33 points and taking second on the three-meter (465.60). Parry won the three-meter dive (495.37) and was runner-up on the one (464.78). Kendall Rummell took third on both the one (418.87) and three (402.30).

"We have two guys who are dynamic former All-Americans, but Kendall really stepped it up today," Dive Coach Jeff Couto said. "He was actually trailing CMS' guy through six dives on each board but came back each time to take third both times. That was big because we didn't win by much."

On the swimming side of things, CBU's dominant showings in the 200, 500 and 1,000-yard freestyles and 300 individual medley fueled it to victory. The Lancers' performance in the 1,000 stood out above the rest, as they swept the top-three spots.

Robert Griffith won the event in nine minutes, 54.11 seconds for CBU, while teammates Elijah Barrows (10:02.99) and Ryan Gansneder (10:13.96) filled in right behind him. Griffith also touched first in the 500 in 4:45.67, while Josh Fleutsch took second (4:53.73).

Alexis Ohmar led the Lancers to three of the top-four positions in the 200 free, clocking in at 1:41.48 – just off an NCAA Division II consideration time. Tanner Shore (1:45.40) and Fleutsch (1:48.39) took third and fourth, respectively.

CBU achieved the same result in the 300 IM, led off by Josh Hanson's victorious time of 2:57.94. Jean Pierre Monteagudo, who joined the Lancers for the second half of the season, took third in 3:04.64. Justin Quiroga finished in fourth (3:04.79).

Hanson would also win the 300 breaststroke (3:19.46) and help CBU's 500-medley relay team of James Wilson, Monteagudo and Alec Munoz finish second (4:44.83).

Two other runner-up performances were provided by Ohmar in the 100 free (46.95), Teraoka in the 50 free (21.72) and by the 500-free relay squad of Ohmar, Shore, Andrew Denton and Bernardo Gonzales Valentim (4:09.30).

"Griffith swam really well today, and Fleutsch provided us with some good points," Rowland said. "The distance guys did really well today, pair that with diving and the Hanson special and it was enough to carry us through the meet."

CBU turns right around and hosts Fresno Pacific and Concordia Saturday at noon. UC San Diego visits Riverside on Jan. 16^th at noon, just four days before the Lancers head back to Grand Junction, Colo., For the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships hosted at Colorado Mesa.

RESULTS