Chicago, Ill. - The Illinois Tech swimming and diving team welcomed the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to Ekco Pool this past Saturday for the Scarlet Hawks 2024-25 season opener. The Hawks put up several strong performances, including nine first place finishes, as they kicked off the first half of their competition schedule.

The visiting Warhawks claimed victories on both sides, winning the men's competition 140-90 and winning the women's competition 164-70. But the Scarlet Hawks still experienced success on the day, with 25 top 3 finishes, including nine first place finishes, eight second place finishes, and eight third place finishes. The Scarlet Hawks opened the meet by winning first place in the women's 200 yard medley relay and followed with a second place finish in the men's 200 yard medley relay.

Scarlet Hawk newcomers made their mark in the opening meet. Graduate student Alexandre Ducret took first place in both the men's 100 yard and 200 yard freestyle events. First-year swimmer Kayla Matsumoto won the women's 200 yard IM. The Hawks also received first place performances from some of their returning swimmers. Sophomore Aidan Chance won the men's 50 yard freestyle. Sophomore Taryn Oser won the women's 100 yard breaststroke. And Claire van Biljon picked up where she left off last season, winning the women's 50 yard and 100 yard freestyle events.

Men's Notable Performances

• Relays
  • 200 Yard Medley
    • 2nd Place - Illinois Tech A (Aidan Chance, Griffin Colomer, Ian Novak, Don Rose) - 1:38.98
  • 200 Yard Freestyle
    • 2nd Place - Illinois Tech A (Alexandre Ducret, River Maners, Ian Novak, Don Rose) - 1:28.27
    • 3rd Place - Illinois Tech B (Tristan Minarik, Eli Riegler, Paul Turberg, Hugo Besin) - 1:33.42
• Individual Events
  • 1000 Yard Freestyle
    • 2nd Place - Tristan Minarik - 10:44.20
  • 200 Yard Freestyle
    • 1st Place - Alexandre Ducret - 1:48.31
    • 3rd Place - Eli Riegler - 1:54.81
  • 50 Yard Freestyle
    • 1st Place - Aidan Chance - 22.53
  • 200 Yard IM
    • 3rd Place - Hugo Besin - 2:05.84
  • 100 Yard Butterfly
    • 2nd Place - Don Rose - 53.70
  • 100 Yard Freestyle
    • 1st Place - Alexandre Ducret - 48.80
    • 2nd Place - Ian Novak - 48.81
  • 100 Yard Backstroke
    • 2nd Place - Aidan Chance - 55.01
  • 500 Yard Freestyle
    • 3rd Place - Griffin Colomer - 5:18.30
  • 100 Yard Breaststroke
    • 2nd Place - Griffin Colomer - 1:02.39
    • 3rd Place - Hugo Besin - 1:03.50
• Diving
  • 1 Meter (six dives)
    • 2nd Place - Colin Schultz - 166.60

Women's Notable Performances

• Relays
  • 200 Yard Medley
    • 1st Place - Illinois Tech A (Kayla Matsumoto, Taryn Oser, Nethmi Bopearatchy, Claire van Biljon) - 1:56.17
  • 200 Yard Freestyle
    • 3rd Place - Illinois Tech A (Maria Plencner, Anna Malik, Stephanie Ticen, Bianca Perez) - 1:56.15
• Individual Events
  • 50 Yard Freestyle
    • 1st Place - Claire van Biljon - 25.17
  • 200 Yard IM
    • 1st Place - Kayla Matsumoto - 2:19.58
  • 100 Yard Butterfly
    • 3rd Place - Nethmi Bopearatchy - 1:08.26
  • 100 Yard Freestyle
    • 1st Place - Claire van Biljon - 54.63
  • 100 Yard Backstroke
    • 2nd Place - Kayla Matsumoto - 1:02.29
  • 500 Yard Freestyle
    • 3rd Place - Taryn Oser - 6:01.28
  • 100 Yard Breaststroke
    • 1st Place - Taryn Oser - 1:13.60

Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks head to Valparaiso, Indiana this Friday for a double dual with Quincy University and host Valparaiso, starting at 5:00pm.