WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 12, 2019) —It was a great day of competition as the Monarchs had a double dual against the Arcadia University Knights and the Messiah Falcons. The men split the day falling to the Knights 145-117 but topping the Falcons 173-83. They move to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in conference meets. The women dropped to 4-5 overall and 2-2 in conference swims coming up short against Messiah 177-85 and Arcadia 158-104.

 

The women kicked off the meet finishing second behind Messiah by just one second in the 200-yard Medley Relay. Liz Savidge, Kirsten Siwy, Kaelyn Gardnerand Claire Coefinished the relay in 1:54.31. Bryce Groshardt, Rhyce Hammaker, Chris DionneandDan Weekesmade up the first place finishing men's 200 medley relay team who ended with a 1:39.79.
 

Senior Chris Soutterdominated in the men's 1000-yard freestyle finishing first in his event by almost 20 seconds ahead of the second place swimmer from Arcadia. He touched the wall in 10:17.57 while another Monarch finished in the top three, sophomore Tyler Higginspicked up a third place finish with 10:54.88.

 

Freshman Savidge also swam the 100-yard backstroke and contributed a second place end in 1:04.13 to the Monarchs for the day while Groshardt clinched a first place finish in the men's race with a time of 55.45.

 

In the women's 100 breaststroke, Siwy claimed the top spot of one of her best events with 1:09.90. Hammaker (1:02.25) and Kris Boxter(1:03.41) took second and third respectively in the men's race.

 

Relay member Gardner (2:25.70) swam the 200-yard butterfly and took a third place finish behind a Messiah and Arcadia swimmer, seven seconds separated her from first place and just two from second. 

 

Usual sprinter Weekes took another first place finish in the men's 50 free with a 22.02 time while Groshardt claimed his third first place swim of the meet in the 100-yard freestyle ending at 48.75.

 

In the 200 backstroke Savidge finished second at 2:19.74, six seconds behind Messiah's first place swimmer and Siwy took first in the 200 breaststroke with 2:31.86.

 

In the men's 200 breast Boxter (2:20.36) and Hammaker (2:25.65) took second and third for King's while Soutter grabbed another long distance victory in the 500-yard freestyle. The senior touched the wall in 4:58.28, four seconds faster than Messiah's competitor

 

Gardner (1:04.64)  and Dionne (56.55) both finished third in their respective races for the 100 fly. Siwy picked up a first place end in the 200-yard IM in 2:20.16 and Groshardt took second in his race at 2:04.23.

 

In the last event of the day, the men's team recorded a third place finish for the Monarchs in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a 3:26.02 time swam by Randill De Asis,Weekes, Soutter and Dionne.

King's will hit the road to compete at Lycoming College for another conference bout. Saturday, January 19, at 1:00 p.m. the Monarchs take on the Warriors in Williamsport, PA.
 

--MONARCHS--