The three-day Ohio Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships produced a third place overall finish for the John Carroll University men’s swimming and diving team.
The University of Akron’s Onacek Natatorium was the venue for the 2016 OAC Championships that featured seven different programs from around the conference.
On Thursday, Feb. 18, JCU pushed for a championship in record-setting fashion in the finals of multiple events. Freshman Tom Pacak finished first in the 500 Free with a finishing time of 4:38.16. Pacak’s time shattered the previous school record of 4:41.74, set during the 2012 season. Later, freshmen Jack Garrow, David Kirtek, sophomore Brian Hulseman and Pacak combined for a second place finish in the 400 Medley Relay, finishing with a time of 3:27.51. Not only did this time earn the team All-OAC honors, but it also obliterated one of the longest standing school records in program history.
Record-setting performances carried over into JCU’s events on Friday, Feb. 19. Pacak picked up right where he left off, breaking another OAC record and earning All-OAC honors with a first place finish in the 200 Free with a time of 1:40.23. Garrow put together a strong second day as well, claiming meaningful points for the Blue Streaks with a first place finish in the 100 Back stroke, touching the wall at an impressive 51.11.
Saturday, Feb. 20, was the final opportunity for a championship push for the Blue Streaks. Garrow continued his winning weekend with another victory, this time in the 200 Back (1:52.36). He also earned a second place finish with the 400 Medley Relay team. The team of Pacak, Kirtek, Garrow and Hulseman combined for a 3:08.45 finishing time, good enough for All-OAC honors.
After the weekend, Garrow spoke about how exciting the weekend was and how much this team has to look forward to.
“It was an amazing atmosphere, the whole team did a fantastic job, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in the upcoming years,” said Garrow.
The third place finish for the Blue Streaks shows major improvement from last season, as JCU claimed fourth place at the OAC Championships in 2015.
Ohio Northern University won the three-day weekend with 843 points and the University of Mount Union claimed second place with 657 points.
