With the boon of fall sports upon Saint Louis University
students, winter sports, swimming and diving flew under the radar
and opened up their season with an intense match against cross-town
rival Washington University. The Billiken women pulled out a
victory, 167.5-130.5, while the men just fell short to the Bears
150-143, all with the Secret Service on hand.

The Secret Service was at the meet even a week early to monitor
security because of the Presidential debate taking place tomorrow.
The meet was almost moved to the Simon Recreation Center due to
security concerns, but in the end the meet went off without a
hitch. And it was a good thing it did for some Billiken women who
had a record day in the pool.

The Billiken women came back after they fell behind the Bears
early on in the meet.

Their comeback was aided by three pool records set by sophomore
Jenny Valentino, junior Kelly Tessar, and senior Megan Capellupo in
the 200-meter-fly, 100-meter-breaststroke and 200-meter Individual
Medley, respectively. Breaking three pool records in one meet is
impressive considering it was the Billikens’ opening meet.

The record Tessar bested was actually her own, set previously at
Washington University. Said Tessar about the pool records falling,
“I was surprised how well we all swam, considering it was just the
first meet of the season. Personally, I was not trying to break my
pool record; I was just trying to swim my best.”

A few other Billiken swimmers were not about to be left off the
podium. Junior Alice Altepeter notched two victories for the
Billikens in the 50 and 100-meter-freestyle. Key wins were also
notched by sophomore Meredith Grass in the 1,000-meter freestyle,
and sophomore diver Erin Lasinski, who won in the one meter diving
event.

Grass said that for the girls, this meet was one of many for a
strong squad. “The girls were really positive, which is good to see
early in the season. We have a great group with strong leadership,
and this meet gave us a good indication of where we are, and what
we need to do for the rest of the year,” Grass said.

For the men, the leader of the pack was senior diver Bobby Wolf,
who was the consummate utility man for the Billikens as he recorded
wins in the one and three-meter competitions. Wolf also swam the 50
fly leg on one of the Billikens’ 200-meter Medley relay teams.
Despite Wolf’s efforts, it was not enough for the Billikens to
overcome a strong Wash. U team.

Sophomore B.J. Brungardt got the boys off on the right foot with
a win in 1,000-meter freestyle, but the wins for the Bills came few
and far between from there on. However, there were a few events in
which the Billikens took first and second. Sophomore Josh Stephens
and freshman Chad Niemeier went in that order in 100-meter
backstroke. Freshman Tim Adams bested sophomore Steve Sash to
garner the win in the 200-meter breaststroke.

Said Sash about the men’s loss, “Everyone swam well, we have
nothing to be ashamed of. Wash U. was just faster, and there is
nothing you can do about that.”

According to Sash, the outlook is not bleak for the remainder of
the season. “We have a lot of freshman swimmers, and this was their
first college meet. We lost one of our fastest swimmers from last
year, in John Stoneburner, but we have much better depth this
year.” Sash said.

The Billikens have a respite before returning to action against
Western Illinois on Friday, Oct. 15, at Western Illinois.

There the women look to keep their winning ways going, while the
men look to build upon an already strong showing.