The meet featured some fierce competition between St. Olaf, Carleton, St. John’s University, the College of St. Ben’s, and the Macalester men’s team. No overall score was kept at the meet, but it was clearly evident who had the strongest team as the Oles piled up 19 victories out of a possible 30 events.

On the women’s side, the performance of Katy Brentz ’05 was one of many meet highlights. Brentz, who is back after taking a year off, won both the 50 and 100-yard freestyle events, and finished second in the 200-yard freestyle. For her efforts, Brentz was named the MIAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week.

“Katy swam extremely well,” said coach Bob Hauck. “Even after taking that year off, she is swimming even better than she was as a first-year.”

Other standout performances at Saturday’s meet were turned in by Carly Knoell ’06 and Anne Lindberg ’04. Knoell won both the 100 and 200-yard backstroke events, while Lindberg won the mile (1650 yard freestyle) with an impressive time of 18:25.38.

“Anne is one of our senior captains,” said Hauck. “She has been training hard and is a great role model for our women. We expect great things out of her this year.”

On the men’s side, first-year Joe Anderson followed up on last week’s record-breaking performance with another solid meet. Anderson’s two pool records at Gustavus on November 7th netted him MIAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week honors, and on Saturday he finished first in both the mile and the 500-yard freestyle. Hw won both races by a wide margin.

Tom Kukla ’07 and Eric Palmer ’04 also picked up two individual victories apiece on Saturday. Kukla won the 100 and 200-yard backstroke, and Palmer took both the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke. The Ole men also won the 200-yard medley relay.

Coach Hauck believes that the team can build off the success of the season’s first home meet.

“This was a very competitive meet, and it was great to give everyone on our team a chance to participate,” said Hauck. “Hopefully it will help prepare us for our upcoming dual meets against these same teams.”

The Oles will next travel to the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center Nov. 21-23 to take part in the U of M Invitational. The competition will be intense, as St. Olaf will compete against Division I and II teams such as Minnesota, Iowa, Iowa State, and North Dakota.

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