NCAA Division III Championships: Kenyon Men, Emory Women Lead After Day One; Kendra Stern Downs DIII Mark

By Reed Shimberg

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, March 23. THE first night of the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships is underway in Knoxville, Tenn., with the Kenyon men and Emory women leading the way.

In the most anticipated event of the meet, Amherst senior Kendra Stern defeated sophomore and returning champion Caroline Wilson of Williams and the 2009 champion Liz Horvat of Emory in the women's 500-yard free. She won with a DIII record setting time of 4:43.37 with Wilson second in 4:47.98 and Horvat third in 4:49.47. Amherst junior Ryan Lichtenfels defeated teammate and returning champion Alex Fraser, 4:23.91 to 4:25.58, in the men's 500-yard free. Freshman Allen Weik of Denison was third in 4:25.67. Lichtenfels is a true distance swimmer, but took the race out fast and was able to hold on for the victory.

Williams junior Logan Todhunter won the women's 200 IM for the second time in a time of 2:01.71. She defeated seniors April Whitley of Emory and Lauren Brady of Kenyon who finished in 2:03.29 and 2:04.06. Todhunter is a butterfly specialist who was the swimmer of the meet last year winning three individual titles and held a commanding lead throughout. Williams continued its winning ways with sophomore Paul Dyrkacz winning a close race in the men's 200 IM against Redlands sophomore Christopher Depew Staten Island freshman Danila Novikov 1:49.10 to 1:49.57 to 1:49.99 respectively.

Stevens senior Laura Barito won the women's 50 freestyle in 22.87 as the only girl to dip under 23 seconds. Amanda Croix of Carthage finished second in 23.00, besting Emory junior Claire Pavlak (23.24). Barito used a fast first lap to win the race. Kenyon finished 1-2 in the men's 50 freestyle even without their standout sprinter Zachary Turk, who is studying abroad for the entire year. In his absence, junior David Somers won the event in 20.11 over senior Collin Ohning 20.23. Senior Craig Fleming of Kalamazoo finished third in 20.32.

In the women's 3 meter diving event College of New Jersey sophomore Danica Roskos won the event with 502.45 points. Trinity teammates Hayley Emerick and Ruth Hahn finished second and third with 458.20 and 445.20 points.

Emory defeated last year's champion Denison in the 200 medley relay 1:41.58 to 1:41.94. Emory's Sadie Nennig, April Whitley, Leslie Hackler, and Claire Pavlak defeated the Denison team of Madeline Armitage, Ksenia Golovkina, Victoria Masney, and Morgan Nuess. Williams was third with Stephanie Nguyen, Caroline Wilson, Logan Todhunter, Carolyn Geller in a time 1:42.39.

The Kenyon men won the last event of the night as Michael Mpitsos, Collin Ohning, James Chapman, and David Somers winning the 200 medley relay in 1:28.17 just off their national record that they set last year. Denison was second in 1:29.57 with Emory finishing third in 1:30.91.

The Emory women are leading Denison 162-103 with Williams in third with 90. The Kenyon men are well on their way to winning their 32nd national championship leading Emory 106-97 with Denison third with 85. Kenyon will rely on their relay strength to continue to lead the meet.

The meet continues tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET with the 200 free relay, 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 free, 400 medley relay, and men's 3 meter diving.

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