Westby breaks school, just misses DIII record at Carthage Invitational

Mike Ludwig
December 6, 2008

KENOSHA, Wis. - Senior Nelson Westby came within .08 of a second of the NCAA Division III record in his win in the 200 breast on Saturday night, as he and the St. Olaf men's swimming team competed in the final day of the Carthage Invitational.

Westby's 1:58.98 in the event broke his meet and pool record by over three seconds and his school record by .94 seconds.

Westby added a third place effort in the 50 free.

The Oles had other star performances in the event, including a few from Chris Bateman. Bateman won the 400 IM by seven-plus seconds while breaking the pool and meet records. Bateman's 4:03.24 is the second-best time in school history, only outdone by head coach Bob Hauck's 3:55.70 in 1987. Bateman also added a third place finish behind Westby in the 200 breast.

Adam Meyer, who swam on the Oles' winning medley relay teams, won the 100 back with a B cut 51.24 to complete a sweep in the stroke's events.

The team's 200 medley relay squad won the event with a strong B cut time of 1:32.35, almost two seconds faster than second place and Division II foe St. Cloud State University.

St. Olaf finished third as a team in the event.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.