SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University men's swimming team honored seniors Tyler Prete, Evan Manning and Joe Keefe before its Friday night dual meet against IUP but dropped a 110-94 decision to a strong Crimson Hawk squad.

“To get that close to a good team with some of our guys out is exciting,” head coach Tim Verge '89 said after the meet. “I really like where our times were. We had some good racing, but we have to get at it in practice and keep going at a high rate.”

Junior Eddie LaNoue won the 50-yard freestyle with a PSAC cut of 22.12 seconds and finished second in the 100-yard freestyle behind victorious sophomore Ryan Westley. Both men also swam on the 200-yard freestyle relay that earned second place in 1:27.97.
 
In the 100-yard backstroke, junior Eric Naylor touched the wall first with a solid time of 53.89 seconds. Naylor was also the opening leg of the 200-yard medley relay. 

Junior Sean Minford won the 100-yard breaststroke and finished second in both the 100-yard backstroke and the 400-yard individual medley. Minford's times in the 100 breast (1:00.95) and 400 IM (4:18.12) both satisfied the PSAC standard.

Freshman Brennan Wolter took second place in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a PSAC cut of 10:11.82 and finished third in the 500-yard freestyle.

“There are some practical and technical things at which we need to improve, because the conference meet is an entirely different deal,” Verge said. “Everybody is on their game at the PSAC meet.”

SU fought hard through the final event, making the 200-yard freestyle relay a suspenseful conclusion. IUP did not secure the win until emerging victorious in the final relay after the Raiders got within 10 points following a 1-2-3 finish in the 100-yard breaststroke. Manning and Prete took second and third place respectively in the event behind Sean Minford.

“We're excited that we gave our fans and seniors a great night to remember,” Verge said.

Shippensburg will compete next Saturday at the Navy Invitational in Maryland. It will be the final meet before the PSAC Championships are held February 16-19 at Cumberland Valley High School.

200 Medley Relay
2. Eric Naylor, Tyler Prete, Jeff Mikitka, Shawn Robbins 1:40.57

1000 Free
2. Brennan Wolter 10:11.82 (PSAC)

200 Free
3. Ryan Westley 1:50.27
4. Jeff Mikitka 1:54.14
5. Tyler Robertson 1:57.63

50 Free
1. Eddie LaNoue 22.12 (PSAC)
3. Shawn Robbins 22.47
4. Chris Bankert 23.12

400 IM
2. Sean Minford 4:18.12 (PSAC)
4. Tyler Minford 4:39.10
5. Evan Manning 4:40.09

100 Fly
3. Jeff Mikitka 56.21
5. Mike Keefe 59.72
6. Allen Koederitz 1:01.73

100 Free
1. Ryan Westley 48.14 (PSAC)
2. Eddie LaNoue 49.34
5. Chris Bankert 51.99

100 Back
1. Eric Naylor 53.89 (PSAC)
2. Sean Minford 56.50
4. Tyler Robertson 58.68

500 Free
3. Brennan Wolter 5:06.30
5. Tyler Minford 5:15.71

100 Breast
1. Sean Minford 1:00.95 (PSAC)
2. Evan Manning 1:01.00 (PSAC)
3. Tyler Prete 1:02.91

200 Free Relay
2. Ryan Westley, Shawn Robbins, Chris Bankert, Eddie LaNoue 1:27.97