Knox College Prairie Fire

O'Neill won two individual events, tied for first in a third, and helped the Prairie Fire win two relays as the men's swimming team defeated Illinois College 99.5 to 76.5 in a dual meet on December 10 in Jacksonville, Illinois.

He placed first in  the 200 yard IM, the 100 yard breaststroke, and matched an Illinois College swimmer's time of :58.20 in the 100 yard backstroke.  O'Neill set season-best times in the 100 breaststroke and the 100 backstroke.

The success O’Neill achieved didn’t end with the three first place finishes.  He was also part of the Fire’s two winning relays – the 400 yard medley and the 400 yard freestyle. 

O’Neill teamed up with fellow seniors Jeff Wickman (Naperville, IL, Naperville North) and Alan Ning (Wilmette, IL, New Trier), and junior Patrick Inness (Galesburg, IL, Galesburg), to earn 11 points for each relay victory.  He helped the Prairie Fire score 46.5 points through his efforts.

Both the Knox men’s and women’s swimming squads have 2-0 records in dual meet competition going into 2012.  They’ve also been back-to-back winners of the Prairie Fire Performer of the Week Award.