Results

Eureka, Ill. – The Prairie Fire swimming teams earned a pair of wins at the Eureka College Sprint Meet on Saturday.

The Knox women defeated Eureka 74-16 while the Knox men topped the Red Devils 46-19.  The victory improved the Prairie Fire women's team's dual meet record to 6-0.  The Prairie Fire men's squad moved to 3-3 on the season with the win.

"I had no expectations going into this meet," said coach Jonathan Powers. 

"Right now the focus of all we do is to get ready for (the Midwest Conference Championships) in the middle of February, so I worked them really hard Thursday and Friday.  I told the team that when they saw their times and they weren't what they expected, that was on me – not them – because they have been doing what I've asked them.  So I was really impressed and pleased with the number of fast times we swam."

Five Knox swimmers had a hand in at least two victories, lead by first-year Madeline Bruce (Dunlap, IL, Dunlap) and sophomore Chris Walsh (Boulder, CO, Shining Mountain Waldorf School) with four each.

Bruce placed first in the 50 yard backstroke and the 50 yard butterfly.  She also was part of the Prairie Fire's winning 200 yard medley and freestyle relay teams.  Walsh finished first in the 50 yard backstroke, the 50 yard freestyle, and he helped Knox win the two relays.

First-year women's swimmer Clarice Bernett (Chicago, IL, Lane Tech) won a pair of individual events – the 50 yard and 200 yard freestyle races.  Junior ShirJia Bielefeld (Weston, WI, D C Everest) placed first in the 100 yard IM and swam on the 200 medley relay for the Prairie Fire.

Junior Matt Klich (Chicago, IL, Guerin Prep) finished first in the 50 yard butterfly and was a member of Knox's victorious medley relay team.

In addition, first-year Megan Binkley (Waunakee, WI, Interlochen Arts Academy) and junior Nick Polizos (Hoffman Estates, IL, Barrington) won individual events for the Prairie Fire.  Binkley placed first in the 50 yard breaststroke and Polizos did the same in the 100 IM.

"This was a fun meet with mixed-sex relays and shorter events and I'm grateful to Eureka for inviting us," Powers added.

The Knox swimmers visit Monmouth College for a dual on January 18 at 1:00 p.m.