ALBION, Mich. – Parker Belmore was a winner in three events – and it would have been four had Albion College not entered its 200-yard freestyle relay team as an exhibition – as the Britons celebrated senior day and their final home dual meet of the season with a 166-115 victory over Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Kalamazoo College.
"Things start to turn for Parker in January," Albion Head Coach Jake Taber said of the All-American from Livonia, Mich. "He's on track for another exciting MIAA Championship meet. He's doing the right things at the right time to be pretty good next month."
Another senior, Jake Maurer, was awarded first place points in 3-meter diving.
"It made my day to see Jake Maurer get the first place points in 3-meter with a series that included a new dive – a front 1 ½ with two twists," Albion Diving Coach Eric Burris said. "Maurer had one of his best days on both boards in a while. To go out like that on senior day was fantastic."
"All of the divers made strides this week," Eric Burris added. "We still have work to do, but I like the direction we're going. We are getting ready to peak at the right time."
Seniors Lucas Harder (100 butterfly) and Nick Smith (1,650 freestyle) finished runner-up in their events, and Matt Hooper was third in the 100 breaststroke.
"This is a really outstanding group of seniors in a lot of ways," Taber said. "Our program was in a different spot four years ago when they were seniors in high school. They had a lot to do with moving this program forward and winning the MIAA championship last year. This is a group that has really made a difference for the program."
Youth was served by first-year swimmers Jake Huttenlocher, the winner of the breaststroke events as well as taking first place in an exhibition swim in the 400 individual medley, and Evan Wonner in the 100 butterfly and the exhibition 200 freestyle relay.
Sophomores Len Ciemniecki (50 freestyle and the exhibition 200 freestyle relay) and Ian Moran (500 freestyle) also scored first place finishes for the Britons.
Albion will take a break from competition until the first weekend of February. The Britons have a Feb. 2 dual meet at Eastern Michigan University and a Feb. 3 MIAA meet at Alma College.
Follow the Britons on Twitter: @AlbionSwimming
