Nelson Westby in the final leg of his victory in the 200 Breast and on the podium.
NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships | Photo Gallery

Westby wins again, Oles finish fourth at NCAA's

Mike Ludwig
March 21, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS - The St. Olaf men's swimming and diving team finished fourth at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships, helped by a second individual title by Nelson Westby on Saturday.

The Oles' fourth place finish was the best in school history, matching the efforts of the 1986 and 1987 teams.

Head coaches Dave and Bob Hauck, who led the Oles' to a MIAC title in February, were named the men's coaches of the meet.

Westby won the 200 Breast in 1:59.26 in the final session to collect his second individual victory of the championships. He won the 200 IM title, his third straight in the event, on Wednesday.

"I didn't know I had a win until the very end," said Westby. "I closed my eyes on the turns because I didn't want to know where I was at, but ended on a high note."

The Oles had other great swims on Saturday including Jake Koch's seventh place effort in the 100 Free in a school record 44.61.

Adam Meyer added a 16th place swim in the 200 Back.

Meyer, one of the Oles' seniors reflected on the team's goal to finish in the top four. "We saw that trophy you get for fourth place and it's been our goal since we were freshmen. Tonight, we got it."

St. Olaf was eighth at the NCAA's in 2006, seventh in 2007 and sixth last year.

"It's been a great experience for all of us, unbelievable," said Koch. "You can't top swimming well and then see everyone else swim really well too."

Each of the Oles' competitors in the championships scored.

Chris Bateman had the team's other All-America swim in the night, finishing seventh in the 1650 Free.

Besides Meyer, the team had two other 16th efforts on Saturday, from diver Ian Straehly on the 3-meter board and Nate Bentley in the 1650 Free.

"Getting that trophy and seeing Bob and Dave [Hauck] get coaches of the meet, I don't think anything could beat that," said Westby, now a 19-time All-American. "I couldn't ask to be on a better team."

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