The Valparaiso University men’s and women’s swimming teams traveled to Macomb, Ill. on Friday to take on Western Illinois in their first of two meets this weekend. Western Illinois came out on top on both sides, winning the men’s meet, 152-74, and the women’s meet, 138-69.

Junior Rachel Law (Wayne, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) led the way for the Crusader women’s team, earning 16 total points. Law took first place in the 1000 yard freestyle, finishing with a season-best time of 10:57.10, and also placed second in the 200 yard IM with a time of 2:19.62.

On the men’s side of things, sophomore Max Penn (Columbus, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) totaled 18 points to lead the Crusaders. Penn touched the wall first in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 55.40, while also earning first-place points in the 100 yard breaststroke. Freshman Dylan Kirar (Arvada Colo./Ralston Valley) also brought home a victory, claiming first place in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:55.87 to earn nine of his 12 points for the Crusaders.

Valparaiso returns to the pool Saturday evening at Eastern Illinois, with the first event slated for 5 p.m.