Saint Ambrose Dual Reveals Strong Swims

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Morningside University's men's swimming team earned several strong performances despite falling to St. Ambrose University in a dual meet Saturday at the Davenport Aquatic Center. The Mustangs totaled 89 points to the Fighting Bees' 172 in the men's competition.

Senior Santiago Vilches led Morningside with an individual victory in the 200-yard backstroke, clocking a 1:57.68. Freshman Alessandro Zoccolan added a win in the 200-yard butterfly (1:57.58) and dominated the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:13.34 — a new Morningside record. Junior John Spicer also grabbed gold for the Mustangs, taking the 100-yard freestyle in 47.98 seconds after anchoring the winning 200-yard medley relay earlier in the day (1:37.35) alongside Vilches, Zoccolan, and junior Pedro Fernandes.

Fernandes picked up another individual title in the 100-yard butterfly, touching first in 52.95 seconds, while sophomore Melle van Veen contributed key points with second-place finishes in the 100-yard backstroke (55.39) and 200-yard butterfly (56.52). Senior Jake Bolda also placed second in the 1,650-yard freestyle, finishing in 17:30.03.

The Mustangs closed the meet with a runner-up showing in the 800-yard freestyle relay, as Spicer, Vilches, van Veen, and Fernandes combined for a 7:25.86 — just eight seconds behind St. Ambrose's top squad.

Morningside is back in the pool on November 15, competing in a dual with Midland in Fremont, Neb.