The Valpo men’s swimming team kicked off the Mid-American Conference Championships on Wednesday from Oxford, Ohio. On the first of four days of competition, the Beacons had a relay crack the program’s top-10 all-time in the event, while a number of individuals had time trial swims that ranked among the program’s all-time best as well.

How It Happened

• An all-underclassman quartet of freshman Jackson Oostman (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy), freshman Anthony Martin (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett), sophomore Andrew Berzai (South Bend, Ind./Mishawaka Marian) and freshman Tim Mai (St. Johns, Fla./Creekside) moved into ninth in program history in the 800 free relay, touching the wall in 7:00.94.
• Individually, the Beacons had five swimmers crack the team’s all-time top-10 in various events during time trial swims, including three of the quartet from the 800 free relay.
• The top placement on Valpo’s all-time charts Wednesday came from Oostman, who completed a 100 IM swim in 52.66 to move up to third in program history in that event. Fellow rookie Jeremy Suarez (Romeoville, Ill./Plainfield East) had a strong swim in the 100 IM time trial as well, as he ranks sixth in program history with a time of 53.66.
• Sophomore Brendan Stangeland (West Fargo, N.D./Sheyenne) completed his 100 breast time trial in 58.06, moving up the Beacons’ top-10 chart in that event into fifth position.
• Martin covered his 100 free time trial in 46.77, good for seventh in program history, while Berzai now ranks ninth in program history in the 200 fly with a time of 1:56.35.
• Valpo finished the day in seventh place in the team standings with 24 points.

Next Up

Valpo continues competition at the MAC Championships on Thursday. Prelim swims begin at 9:30 a.m. CT, while finals get underway at 5 p.m. CT.