Host Wheaton Captures CCIW Men’s & Women’s Swimming Titles

WHEATON, Ill. -- The Wheaton Thunder men’s and women’s swimming teams took an early lead two nights ago and never looked back as both earned the conference title at the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Swimming Championships Saturday, hosted by Wheaton.

The women’s title was the 15th in school history and 10th straight dating back to 1998. The men’s title was the 25th in school history as the Thunder avenged last season’s second place finish to Carthage.

Kaitlin Marko of Wheaton and Zach Jole of Carthage were named most valuable swimmers, while Rob Myers of Wheaton and Ramsey Vens of Augustana were named outstanding participants. Jon Lederhouse of Wheaton and Teresa Fish of Illinois Wesleyan were named coach of the year on the men's side, while Lederhouse took the honor on the women's side.

The Wheaton women’s team won with a final team score of 940, followed by Carthage (723), Illinois Wesleyan (399), Augustana (364), Millikin (323) and North Central (124). On the men’s side, Wheaton’s winning score was 906.5, followed by Carthage (737.5), Illinois Wesleyan (497), Augustana (315.5), Millikin (260) and North Central (125.5).

The night began with the 1650-yard freestyle as Marko won the women’s title with a time of 17:15.44. Carthage’s Bryan Peka won the men’s title with a time of 15:59.43. Both times were meet records as Marko topped the old mark of 17:24.84 by Becky Bird of Wheaton in 2005. Pelka beat his old record from a year ago when he finished the event with a time of 16:10.58.

Wheaton’s Ashley Matthiesen won the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:09.55, while Wheaton’s John Higgins won on the men’s side with a time of 1:56.00. The 100-yard freestyle saw Wheaton’s Katherine Burt win with a time of 52.30, while Tim Linn of Wheaton won the men’s title (46.74).

In the 200-yard breaststroke, Wheaton’s Renee Shear earned the conference title with a time of 2:27.88. On the men’s side, Jole won with a time of 2:04.56.

The Thunder’s Cherie Spears earned the title in the 200-yard fly (2:12.27), while on the men’s side, Wheaton’s Rob Morris won with a time of 1:54.09.

The championships concluded with the 400-yard freestyle relay. The Wheaton team of Jenna Sveen, Matthiesen, Spears and Burt won with a time of 3:31.80, beating the previous meet record of 3:34.18 by Illinois Wesleyan in 2003. The Wheaton men, featuring Linn, Paul Hartman, Morris and Higgins won with a time of 3:07.60.