Results

Beloit, WI – The Prairie Fire swimming teams ended the regular season with a split on Saturday against Beloit College.

The Knox women’s squad defeated the Buccaneers 112-105 after trailing by two points and winning the final relay of the day while the Beloit men’s team prevailed over the Knox men 128-36.

The Prairie Fire teams combined for seven victories in individual events and another seven second place finishes.  The women’s squad also placed first in the 200 yard freestyle relay.

It was the first place finish in the 200 freestyle relay that won the dual for the Prairie Fire women (4-4).

Sophomore Colleen Shelly (Galesburg, IL, Galesburg) finished the fourth leg in :26.84 as she caught and passed her Beloit rival and touched the wall first, giving Knox the come-from-behind victory.

Shelly also finished first in the 100 breaststroke and the 100 freestyle to complete an impressive performance.

Sophomore Madeline Troy (Naperville, IL, Naperville North) also won two events to help the Prairie Fire finish the regular season on a high note.  Troy placed first in the 200 and 500 freestyle races.

The other event winners for the Knox women’s team were sophomore Susannah Lodge-Rigal (Bloomington, IN, Bloomington) in the 1650 freestyle and senior Zoey Kudla (Ypsilanti, MI, Greenhills School) in the 200 backstroke.

Kudla was the runner-up in two other events – the 100 backstroke and the 200 IM.  Junior Marie Anderson (Pleasant Hill, CA, Athenian School) placed second in two races as well, the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle.

In addition, sophomore ShirJia Bielefeld (Weston, WI, D C Everest) finished second in the 100 breaststroke and first-year Maddie Boehm (Kenosha, WI, Harborside Academy) was second in the 50 freestyle.

A total of 12 different women’s swimmers scored points in the dual for Knox, which has had at least four consecutive seasons with a .500 record or better.  Coach Jonathan Powers said the team’s depth paid off. 

“To win a close meet like that requires contributions from everyone, so this is a real nice team win and I’m pleased with how we are swimming going into conference.”

First-year Chris Walsh (Boulder, CO, Shining Mountain Waldorf School) led the Prairie Fire men’s team (1-6-1) with a first place finish in the 200 backstroke and he placed second in the 50 freestyle.

Knox competes next at the Midwest Conference Swimming and Diving Championships February 15 through 17 at Grinnell College.

Follow Prairie Fire athletics on Twitter