CHARLESTON, Ill . -- The IUPUI men's and women's swimming and diving teams each placed third at the Panther Invitational on Friday and Saturday, picking up 39 times which were season-best marks for IUPUI swimmers.
Junior Eric Hollingsworth led the Jaguars, picking up the only individual win for an IUPUI swimmer by winning the 1650 freestyle in 17:35.70. Hollingsworth also took second in the 500 free, swimming a new season-best of 5:02.08.
The Jaguars took third on both sides of the meet, in which Eastern Illinois won with 705 points on the women's side and 704 on the men's. Evansville took second with 701.5 women's points and 583 on the men's. IUPUI was closed behind with 515.5 and 466, respectively. Lincoln College rounded out the field with 183 points for their women and 324 for the men.
Hollingsworth was one of 12 Jaguar men's swimmers who set new season-best times, including freshman Steven Bretscher, who took 11 seconds off of his 500 freestyle time, finishing in 5:04.81. Fellow freshmen John Hudson, Brian Nahrwold, Matt Ray, Michael Steurer and Sean Wert all picked up season-best marks.
Steurer had two times which rank in the top 10 of The Summit League this season - touching the wall in 55.66 in the 100 backstroke and swimming the 400 IM in 4:27.89.
Senior Jake DeLion shaved four second off of his 500 freestyle time and swam his first 1650 free of the year in 17:43.30.
Sophomore Justin Shaw swam his best 100 butterfly of the season, turning in a 54.21 to move into the top 10 of the conference.
Four relays turned in season-best performances, including the 200 free, 400 free, 800 free and 400 medley teams.
On the women's side, freshman Carrie Ford turned in two times which rank in the conference's top 10. Ford's 18:41.59 in the 1650 freestyle was her best this season (in her first attempt), while her 400 IM time of 4:55.25 was the second-best on the team.
11 women posted new season-best times, including freshmen Heater Childs, Blair Miller, Holly Reed, Kate Stephens, Crystal Tate and Alicia Watt.
Sophomore Emily Valencia swam three events in the meet and posted new season-bests in all three events, taking three second off of her times in the 200 breaststroke (2:38.40) and 200 IM (2:22.63). Valencia's 1:14.57 in the 100 breaststroke was also a new season-best.
Fellow sophomore Sara Smith moved into the top 10 of the conference with a 2:15.80 in the 200 butterfly.
The IUPUI swimming and diving teams will return to the friendly confines of the IU Natatorium when they will host Xavier University this Friday, November 9. The action will begin at 3 p.m.