October 22, 2011

Grove City opens with win at CUP

CLARION, Pa. -- The Grove City College men's swimming and diving team opened the 2011-12 season Saturday by capturing first place at the Clarion University Fall Classic. Grove City finished the day with 195 points. Clarion had 138.

Seniors Ben Bowser (Stow, Ohio/Stow-Munroe Falls) and Kirk Gagliardo (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) both earned two individual wins for the Wolverines. Bowser won the 100 butterfly in 54.41 seconds, then won the 200 individual medley in 2:02.81. Gagliardo captured the 50 free in 22.10 and also posted a winning time of 48.30 in the 100 free.

Junior Eric Fairchild (Corry, Pa./Corry) won the 200 free in 1:49.50 and classmate Adam Walker (Lexington, Ky./Homeschooled) won the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:38.39. Senior Nick Hamilton (Crescent, Pa./Moon) prevailed in the 500 free (5:08.83).

Fairchild, Hamilton, Gagliardo and sophomore C.P. Dehli (Moneta, Va./Staunton River) closed the meet by winning the 400 free relay in 3:17.54.

Grove City opens the dual meet schedule next Saturday at Allegheny in non-conference action.